HENCKEN WILLIAM PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER
Franklin, PA — September 21, 2017
Event Information
| Date | September 21, 2017 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA17CA552 |
| Event ID | 20170924X05410 |
| Location | Franklin, PA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 41.37778, -79.86028 |
| Airport | VENANGO RGNL |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | HENCKEN WILLIAM |
| Model | PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The failure of the weld that connects the left main landing gear and the axle during the takeoff roll.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the experimental tailwheel-equipped airplane's left wing dropped. The pilot corrected with right aileron input and back pressure on the control yoke. However, the airplane veered off the runway, bounced, and impacted in a right wing low attitude. Subsequently the airplane nosed over.
A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the weld that connects the left main landing gear and the axle failed.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and empennage.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.