Pietenpol PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER accident near Glendo, Wyoming, September 5, 2019
On September 5, 2019 at about 3:00 pm local time, a 1975 Pietenpol PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N14961, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Glendo, Wyoming (Thomas Memorial airport). 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 overapplication of brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in a noseover.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 5, 2019 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Glendo, Wyoming · Thomas Memorial · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Pietenpol PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER No Series, built 1975, amateur-built
- Registration
- N14961 · registry record · serial P101SE
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, he applied "too much brake" and that the airplane then nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward right and left lift struts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing defining event
- Nose over/nose down during landing
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Brake › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 839 hours in all; 46 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 737 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 2, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 468.6 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 9, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 1,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: General Motors Corvair 140HP (piston); 659 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CPR Casper WY at 1:30 pm
- Destination: 76V Glendo WY
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 34, 4,397 ft by 70 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KDGW, 23 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.
Other NTSB records under N14961 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.