Rose Herbert D PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER N709HR

Summary

On 9 August 2017 at about 13:26 local time, a Rose Herbert D PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER registered N709HR was involved in an accident near Tower City, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 August 2017 at 13:26

Classification

Accident

Location

Tower City, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Bendigo Airport (74N)

Coordinates

40.5589, -76.5597

Aircraft

Rose Herbert D PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER

Registration

N709HR

Category

Airplane

Year built

2017

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Flight Test

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tower City → Myerstown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA17LA269

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's incapacitation due to fainting as a result of complications from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot was flying his airplane as part of the phase I test period for amateur-built aircraft. Preflight, ground operations, and engine run-up were uneventful. He taxied to the end of the runway for takeoff. He began the takeoff roll, felt the tailwheel rise, and then fainted. He did not recall any subsequent events about the accident. Airport surveillance video showed the airplane pitch up into a steep, nose-high attitude; roll to the left; and then descend toward the ground. The airplane contacted the ground left wing first in a steep, nose-low attitude. Postaccident examination of the wreckage did not reveal any evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation, and the pilot reported that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane before the accident. After the accident, an extensive medical evaluation identified that the pilot had severe aortic regurgitation that required a valve replacement and repair of the aortic root. Although aortic regurgitation does not commonly cause fainting, it can interfere with the forward flow of blood from the heart and increases the risk of an arrhythmia. It is likely that the pilot was incapacitated by complications from his previously undiagnosed heart condition.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.