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July 22, 2012 · Purtee Kevin M Pietenpol Aircamper · N899KP

Broadhead, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 22, 2012
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Broadhead, WI
Aircraft
Purtee Kevin M Pietenpol Aircamper
Tail Number
N899KP
Operator
Purtee Kevin M
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12CA469

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 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.

Full 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 tree top level and enter a left turn as if he was trying to turn back to the airport when the engine quit. 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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:40 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPurtee Kevin M Pietenpol Aircamper
Tail NumberN899KP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPurtee Kevin M
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsAma/Expr · UNKNOWN ENG · Reciprocating
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data