# NTSB GAA19CA396: Donald Bernard Higgs Pietenpol, N7169K, Anacortes, WA, July 7, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 6, 2019, 17:00 local (Jul 7, 2019, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Anacortes, WA - Coordinates: 48.498611, -122.662498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4986&lon=-122.6625&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 April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99802 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA396 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99802/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99802 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA396 ## Probable cause The failure of the left main landing gear attachment point during the landing roll for reasons that could not be determined because the attachment was not examined, which resulted in a loss of directional control, collision with a drainage culvert, and a subsequent nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: main landing gear attach sec](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that this was the first test flight after the experimental, amateur-built airplane had been reassembled following purchase and transport. The pilot performed two high-speed taxi runs, he back taxied, and then he took off. During the landing roll, "the left front landing gear attachment lugs broke off the mount fitting." The pilot lost directional control of the airplane, and it ground looped to the right. The airplane entered a ditch and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing aft lift strut. The left main landing gear attachment was not examined; therefore, the reason for its failure could not be determined. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the experimental amateur-built, tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, this was the first test flight after the airplane had been reassembled following purchase and transport. The pilot performed two high-speed taxi runs, he back taxied and subsequently took off. During the landing roll, "the left front landing gear attachment lugs broke off the mount fitting." The pilot lost directional control of the airplane and ground-looped to the right. The airplane entered a ditch and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing aft lift strut. ## Aircraft - Registration: N7169K (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: DONALD BERNARD HIGGS PIETENPOL - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1 - Year built: 1991 - Airframe hours: 90.5 - Engines: Ford Model B 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 2, 2019 - Departed: 74S, Anacortes, WA - Destination: 74S, Anacortes, WA - Airport: 74S, Anacortes, runway 18, 3,015 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 27, 2017; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,775 total, 35 in this make and model, 4,775 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F - Observed at: KNUW, 9 nm away ## 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 20190706010499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190706010499A), Jul 6, 2019: Higgs Donald Bernard PIETENPOL, Anacortes, WA, Substantial damage. After landing, during rollout, left front gear attach point broke off causing the aircraft to ground loop into a ditch and nose over landing upside-down. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99802. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478584&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 256 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478585&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.