# NTSB FTW99LA042: Holiman Pietenpol Aircamper, N396S, England, AR, December 2, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 2, 1998, 14:25 local (20:25 UTC) - Place: England, AR - Coordinates: 34.54018, -91.959388 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5402&lon=-91.9594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 22, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45416 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45416/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA042 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the powerline while maneuvering. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - wire,transmission - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot of the high wing tailwheel equipped airplane lost control of the airplane after impacting a powerline that was suspended 30 feet above the ground. Witnesses near the accident site observed the airplane maneuvering at low altitude prior to the accident. A nearby resident reported to law enforcement officers that he heard the sound of the airplane engine flying near his residence. The resident reported that the sound of the engine stopped about the same time that his home lost electrical power. The resident went outside and found that the single powerline servicing his home was down on the ground. The remains of the wood and fabric airplane came to rest on a southerly heading, about 200 feet beyond the point where the wire was severed. The commercial pilot was occupying the front seat of the 2-seat tandem airplane. Flight control continuity was established to all flight surfaces. Likewise, continuity was established to all engine controls. Fuel was found at the site and there was no fire. ## Factual narrative On December 2, 1998, approximately 1425 central standard time, a Holiman Pietenpol Aircamper homebuilt airplane, N396S, was substantially damage upon collision with a power line while maneuvering near England, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was seriously injured. The experimental airplane was owned and operated by the pilot/builder under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for the local personal flight. The flight originated from the Saline County Airport, in Benton, Arkansas, approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident. According to witnesses near the accident site, the high wing tailwheel equipped airplane was observed maneuvering at low altitude in the vicinity of the accident. A nearby resident reported to law enforcement officers that he heard the sound of the airplane engine flying near his residence. The resident reported that the sound of the engine stopped about the same time that his home lost electrical power. The resident went outside and observed that the single powerline servicing his home was down on the ground and the remains of the wood and fabric airplane came to rest on a southerly heading, approximately 200 feet beyond the point where the wire was severed. The property owner estimated that the severed power line was suspended about 30 feet above the ground. The 74 year old commercial pilot was occupying the front seat of the 2-seat tandem airplane. He was reported to have been hospitalized for over 2 months as result of injuries sustained. In a statement to his daughter, who completed the attached NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he did not have any recollection about the flight or the accident. Examination of the wreckage by the FAA inspector who traveled to the accident site revealed that the fuselage and both wings sustained structural damage. The inspector further noted continuity to all flight controls. Likewise, continuity was established to all engine controls. Fuel was found at the site and there was no fire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N396S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N396S-2009-03-16), registration cancelled 2009-03-16, S/N AH-1, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HOLIMAN PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER (PIETENPOL) - Registry model: [Holiman PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER](https://openairdocs.org/model/holiman-pietenpol-aircamper) (registry code 7040341) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: AH-1 - Airframe hours: 1083 - Engines: Continental C85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Arthur B. Holiman - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 1998, 76 hours before - Departed: M99, BENTON, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,936 total, 1,085 in this make and model, 1,936 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19981202047079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981202047079A), Dec 2, 1998: Amtr PIETENPOLAIR, England, AR, No damage. (-23) On December 2, 1998, at approximately 14:45 CST, a holiman pietenpol air camper homebuilt airplane, N396S, was substantially damaged upon collision with… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.