# NTSB LAX91LA303: E.C Trynka Pietenpol Aircamper, N64661, Skull Valley, AZ, July 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1991, 17:00 local (Jul 10, 1991, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Skull Valley, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.57983, -112.769973 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5798&lon=-112.7700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27283
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA303
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27283/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA303

## Probable cause

THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY INDUCING A STALL SPIN CONDITION WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER FROM THE SPIN.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM AN AIRPORT AND REPORTEDLY TURNED DOWNWIND AT ABOUT 400 FEET AGL.  WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT APPEARED TO BE IN A 'STEEP' BANK. THEY SAID THAT THE AIRCRAFT 'APPEARED TO FALL OFF ON THE LEFT WING AND SPIN INTO THE GROUND.'  AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT ON SCENE AND REPORTED THAT NO DISCREPANCIES COULD BE FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE HAMPERED THE AIRCRAFT'S ABILITY TO FLY AND MAINTAIN ALTITUDE.  THE PILOT'S RECENT AERONAUTICAL EXPERIENCE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.  HIS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS EXPIRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64661](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64661-1991-12-16), registration cancelled 1991-12-16, S/N 20047 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: E.C TRYNKA PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER (PIETENPOL)
- Registry model: [Trzynka PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER](https://openairdocs.org/model/trzynka-pietenpol-aircamper) (registry code 7040325) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 20047
- Engines: CORVAIR HPE 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Russell, Aley V.
- Registered owner: Russell, Aley V.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; flight hours: 450 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 55 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: PRC, 19 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 19910709026609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910709026609A), Jul 9, 1991: Amtrpl AIRCAMPER, Skull Valley, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Made steep climbing turn on climbout. Stalled and spun into ground. Report of faulty air speed and engine mixture.

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.

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