N40WH

Substantial
None

HENCKEN WILLIAM PIETENPOL AIR CAMPERS/N: 40

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, September 21, 2017
NTSB Number
GAA17CA552
Location
Franklin, PA
Event ID
20170924X05410
Coordinates
41.377777, -79.860275
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

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

Registration
N40WH
Make
HENCKEN WILLIAM
Serial Number
40
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
PIETENPOL AIR CAMPERSA02
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
150 CHRISTIAN AVE
Status
Deregistered
City
HUBBARD
State / Zip Code
OH 44425-2008
Country
United States

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