# NTSB SEA83FA168: Pietonpol-Imrie Aircamper, Shelton, WA, August 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1983, 17:05 local (Aug 7, 1983, 00:05 UTC)
- Place: Shelton, WA
- Coordinates: 47.229831, -123.2005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2298&lon=-123.2005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39624
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83FA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39624/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FA168

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - ignition system,spark plug - contamination (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HOME BUILT ACFT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 1975 & WAS BUILT IN CANADA FROM THE 1930 PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER DESIGN. THE PLT HAD FLOWN THE CANADIAN REGISTERED ACFT TO AN ANTIQUE FLY-IN. TRAFFIC AT THE ARPT REQUIRED THAT ONLY RWY 35 COULD BE USED. THE PLT WAITED FROM 1400 TO 1700 PDT, FOR THE WIND TO DECREASE, BEFORE TAKING OFF. REPORTEDLY, HE FOLLOWED THE POSTED LEFT HAND TRAFFIC PATTERN WHICH TOOK HIM OVER HILLS WHERE HE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE & A DOWN DRAFT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STALLED & CRASHED IN A STEEP DESCENT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE SPARK PLUGS WERE CARBON FOULED WITH BLACK, SOOTY DEPOSITS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CFACV (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIETONPOL-IMRIE AIRCAMPER
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: AFD-6870
- Airframe hours: 180
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fredric N. Imrie
- Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 1983, 4 hours before
- Airport: SHN, Sanderson Field, runway 35, 5,293 × 28 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private, foreign; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,272 total, 110 in this make and model, 1,272 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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