N13708

Substantial
None

Pietenpol AircamperS/N: 305

Accident Details

Date
Friday, January 20, 2006
NTSB Number
DFW06CA059
Location
Lometa, TX
Event ID
20060214X00201
Coordinates
31.233333, -98.467224
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. Contributing factors were the sun glare and the rough and uneven landing area.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N13708
Make
PIETENPOL
Serial Number
305
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1983
Model / ICAO
AircamperSBM3
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
7825 CLEARWATER COVE DR
Status
Deregistered
City
INDIANAPOLIS
State / Zip Code
IN 46240
Country
United States

Analysis

The 3,200-hour private pilot of a single-engine tail-wheel-equipped experimental airplane was landing on a rough and uneven 2,900-foot by 50-foot wide grass runway at a private airstrip. The pilot reported that his vision became impaired by the glare of the sun during the touchdown sequence. The left main lading gear collapsed after it impacted a rock, resulting in structural damage to the airplane. No mechanical anomalies were reported with the engine or the flight controls. The pilot reported the wind was light and variable at the time of the accident. The pilot further reported that landing the airplane in the opposite direction (away from the sun) would have been an option.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DFW06CA059