# NTSB MKC89LA077: Jennings Pietenpol Aircamper, N81GJ, Lincoln, NE, March 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1989, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Lincoln, NE
- Coordinates: 40.870399, -96.709709 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8704&lon=-96.7097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34767
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34767/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA077

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO ADEQUATELY PREFLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT RESULTING IN A FRONT COCKPIT SEAT CUSHION INTERFERING WITH THE RUDDER PEDALS AND BRAKES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,normal brake system - movement restricted (cause)
  - control interference - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuselage,seat - not secured (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PVT PLT SAID THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL OF THE HOMEBUILT ACFT, THE PLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO DIRECTIONALLY CONTROL THE ACFT, AND IT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND ROLLED OVER. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FRONT SEAT CUSHION, OF THE OPEN COCKPIT TANDEM SEATED ACFT, HAD FALLEN TO THE COCKPIT FLOOR CAUSING A RESTRICTION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S BRAKE PEDALS. THE FRONT COCKPIT HAD A COVER OVER IT MAKING IT INCONVENIENT TO VISUALLY INSPECT IT DURING THE PREFLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N81GJ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: JENNINGS PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER (PIETENPOL)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 122068
- Airframe hours: 30
- Engines: FORD FIESTA 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jennings, Gerald R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: LNK, LINCOLN, NE
- Airport: LNK, Lincoln, runway 35, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 59 total, 22 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LNK, 1 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 19890311003709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890311003709A), Mar 11, 1989: Amtrpl AIRCAMPER, Lincoln, NE, Substantial damage. Veered off runway and overturned on takeoff. Found loose front cockpit seat had fallen to floor. Jammed left brake.

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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