Amateur-built Pietenpol Aircamper accident near Tulsa, Oklahoma, May 17, 2001
On May 17, 2001, a amateur-built Pietenpol Aircamper, registered N25157, was substantially damaged in an accident near Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate flare during the forced landing, which resulted in a hard landing. A contributing factor was the engine overheating due a stuck oil cooler thermostat valve, which resulted in a loss of power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 17, 2001
- Place
- Tulsa, Oklahoma · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Pietenpol Aircamper
- Registration
- N25157 · registry record · serial 113EHK
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During cruise flight in the homebuilt airplane, the pilot observed a rise in engine oil temperature. He elected to make a precautionary landing at a nearby airport; however, engine rpm decreased to where altitude could not be maintained. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a bean field about one mile northeast of the airport. During the landing, the airplane touched down hard, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. An examination of the Corvair automotive engine, by the owner, revealed a stuck oil cooler thermostat valve. The stuck valve was preventing oil from flowing through the oil cooler.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 750 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Corvair (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OK94 Collinsville OK
- Destination: RVS Tulsa OK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.68 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.