Pilot Debrief

HENCKEN WILLIAM PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER near Franklin, PA — 2017-09-21

Final reportGAA17CA552
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Date
2017-09-21
Location
Franklin, PA, USA
Airport
FKL
Aircraft
HENCKEN WILLIAM PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER
Registration
N40WH
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The failure of the weld that connects the left main landing gear and the axle during the takeoff roll.

NTSB 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 then impacted the runway in a right-wing-low attitude. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the weld that connects the left main landing gear and the axle had failed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and empennage.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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