Plane Crash List

Jennings PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER N81GJ

11 March 1989 · Lincoln, Nebraska, United States · No injuries

Summary

On 11 March 1989 at about 16:45 local time, a Jennings PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER registered N81GJ was involved in an accident near Lincoln, Nebraska, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 16:45
Classification
Accident
Location
Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
Nearest airport
Lincoln (LNK)
Coordinates
40.8704, -96.7097
Aircraft
Jennings PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER
Registration
N81GJ
Category
Airplane
Engines
1
Operator
Not recorded
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Personal
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Lincoln → Unknown
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
MKC89LA077

People

Nobody was injured.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 0 0 1

Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO ADEQUATELY PREFLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT RESULTING IN A FRONT COCKPIT SEAT CUSHION INTERFERING WITH THE RUDDER PEDALS AND BRAKES.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PVT PLT SAID THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL OF THE HOMEBUILT ACFT, THE PLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO DIRECTIONALLY CONTROL THE ACFT, AND IT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND ROLLED OVER. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FRONT SEAT CUSHION, OF THE OPEN COCKPIT TANDEM SEATED ACFT, HAD FALLEN TO THE COCKPIT FLOOR CAUSING A RESTRICTION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S BRAKE PEDALS. THE FRONT COCKPIT HAD A COVER OVER IT MAKING IT INCONVENIENT TO VISUALLY INSPECT IT DURING THE PREFLIGHT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

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2 Apr 1989 Schmahl VOLKSPLANE VP-1
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12 Jul 1989 Cessna A-188B
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29 Dec 1989 Piper PA-32-301
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All 170,864 records in United States