Summary
On September 21, 2017, a Hencken William PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER (N40WH) was involved in an incident near Franklin, PA. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The failure of the weld that connects the left main landing gear and the axle during the takeoff roll.
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.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA552. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N40WH.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The failure of the weld that connects the left main landing gear and the axle during the takeoff roll.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
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.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA552