# NTSB SEA86LA023: Brisbin Pientenpol Aircamper, N31131, Gig Harbor, WA, November 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1985, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Gig Harbor, WA
- Location: 47.3051° N, 122.6435° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from TACOMA NARROWS (TIW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3051&lon=-122.6435&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40333
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40333/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA023

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED FOR UNKNOWN REASONS SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. A 75 FOOT TREE WAS STRUCK WITH THE AIRCRAFT STRIKING THE GROUND NOSE FIRST AND THEN COMING TO REST INVERTED. THE ENGINE WAS TESTED AND RAN NORMALLY WITH NO ABNORMALITIES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF EXTREMELY LOW COMPRESSION ON CYLINDERS TWO THROUGH FOUR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31131](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31131-1989-03-09), registration cancelled 1989-03-09, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BRISBIN PIENTENPOL AIRCAMPER (PIENTENPOL)
- Registry model: [Brisbin PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER](https://openairdocs.org/model/brisbin-pietenpol-aircamper) (registry code 7040313) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 98
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles L Woodke
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: TIW, TACOMA, WA
- Destination: OS8, PORT ORCHARD, WA
- Airport: TIW, Tacoma Narrows

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,450 total, 10 in this make and model, 1,450 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F

## 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 19851114074949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851114074949A), Nov 14, 1985: Amtrpl AIRCAMPER, Gig Harbor, WA, Destroyed. Struck a tree, then ground on an emergency landing after engine power loss. 3 cylinders with very low compression.

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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