# NTSB GAA16CA030: Mcpherson John G Pietenpol Aircamper, N169JG, Placerville, CA, October 23, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 23, 2015, 11:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Placerville, CA - Coordinates: 38.722499, -120.757499 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7225&lon=-120.7575&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 17, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Sacramento FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 92243 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92243/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92243 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA030 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and an impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcpherson John G PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056284R), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcpherson John G PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056284R), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Turbulence: terrain induced turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Mcpherson John G PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010/cases.md?model=056284R), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360); cases with it: [Mcpherson John G PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=056284R), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Mcpherson John G PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056284R), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Mcpherson John G PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056284R), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mcpherson John G PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056284R), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he encountered terrain induced turbulence over the runway threshold and bounced on the touchdown. During the landing roll, the left wing rose and the airplane began a "sweeping turn to the left." He attempted to correct with right rudder and brake, but the airplane exited the runway to the left, traveled about 25 feet down an embankment, and came to a stop. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he encountered terrain induced turbulence over the runway threshold and bounced on the touchdown. During the landing roll, the left wing rose and the airplane began a "sweeping turn to the left." He attempted to correct with right rudder and brake, but the airplane exited the runway to the left, traveled about 25 feet down an embankment, and came to a stop. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N169JG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N169JG), registered now, S/N M-001, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MCPHERSON JOHN G PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Mcpherson John G PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcpherson-john-g-pietenpol-aircamper) (registry code 056284R) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A-65-8F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-65-8f) (registry code 17330, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: M-001 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 33.7 - Engines: Continental A-65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: PVF, Placerville, CA - Destination: PVF, Placerville, CA - Airport: PVF, Placerville, runway 23, 3,910 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 20, 2015; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,556.5 total, 33.7 in this make and model, 1,464.1 as pilot in command, 19.1 in the last 90 days, 8.3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Turbulence: Light - Observed at: KPVF ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20151023018819I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151023018819I), Oct 23, 2015: Mcpherson John G PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER, Placerville, CA, Substantial damage. NTSB recomended to upgrade to an accident. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 14, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92243. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 540 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434952&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 893 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434953&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.