Pilot Debrief

PURTEE KEVIN M PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER near Broadhead, WI — 2012-07-22

Final reportCEN12CA469
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Date
2012-07-22
Location
Broadhead, WI, USA
Aircraft
PURTEE KEVIN M PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER
Registration
N899KP
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to adequately remove water-contaminated fuel during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during takeoff, and his decision to initiate a turn back to the runway with insufficient airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

The pilot's wife stated that the airplane's engine was running rough prior to the flight and that her husband had drained a significant amount of water from the fuel drain. Once he thought the water was drained from the system, he departed. A witness saw the airplane climb to treetop level and enter a left turn as if the pilot was trying to turn back to the airport when the engine lost power. The airplane then made a hard left turn and descended straight down to the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the firewall, fuselage, and both wings. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed water in the fuel line downstream of the fuel valve.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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