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August 12, 1993 · R D Bell/Pietenpol Aircamper · N194BB

Pontiac, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 12, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Pontiac, MI
Aircraft
R D Bell/Pietenpol Aircamper
Tail Number
N194BB
Operator
Robert D Bell
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI93LA321

THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE PERFORMED A THREE POINT LANDING ON A HARD SURFACE RUNWAY ACCORDING TO THE PILOT. DURING THE INITIAL LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT, THE PILOT CORRECTED WITH LEFT RUDDER. DURING THE AIRPLANE'S MOVEMENT TOWARD THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. APPROXIMATELY FIVE YEARS PRIOR TO THIS EVENT, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSE DUE TO A HARD LANDING. SHORTLY AFTER THE LANDING GEAR REPAIR, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A SECOND HARD LANDING. THE AIRPLANE LOGBOOK DID NOT SPECIFY IF THE LANDING GEAR ASSEMBLY HAD COLLAPSED AFTER THE SECOND HARD LANDING.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND NOT MAINTAINING A PROPER DESCENT RATE DURING THE FINAL APPROACH AND LANDING FLARE PHASE OF FLIGHT.

Full Narrative

On August 12, 1993, at 1610 eastern daylight time, an R.D. Bell/Pietenpol Aircamper, N194BB, registered to Robert D. Bell of Rochester Hills, Michigan, and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when its main landing gear collapsed upon touchdown onto Runway 9 Left (3,250' X 75' dry asphalt) at the Pontiac/Oakland Airport, Pontiac, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had not filed a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Lake City, Michigan, exact time unknown. According to the pilot's on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the airplane performed a three point landing. He stated the airplane started to drift to the right during the initial phase of the landing roll. He said he applied left rudder to get the airplane back on the runway centerline. During the airplane's return to the runway's center, the right landing gear collapsed. The on-scene investigation was conducted by Federal Aviation Administration Principle Maintenance Inspector (PMI). The PMI confirmed the right main landing gear collapse. He stated he did not observed any fatigue generated cracking on the assembly. The PMI's statement is appended to this report. The PMI stated the airplane had been involved in two previous hard landing events on July 22, 1988, and August 20, 1988. The July 22, event resulted in a collapsed right main landing gear. The logbook did not specify if the landing gear had collapsed as a result of the hard landing on August 20, 1988. Copies of the airplane logbook are appended to this report.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:10 EDT
Nearest AirportOakland-Pontiac (0nm)
Runway9
Runway Length3251 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftR D Bell/Pietenpol Aircamper
Tail NumberN194BB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRobert D Bell
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-12 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 14 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:26
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data