# Accident 20230820014519A: Waco UPF-7, Warrenton, VA, August 20, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 20, 2023, 20:42 local time
- Place: Warrenton, VA
- Airport: Flying Circus Aerodrome
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Rollout
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.5504° N, 77.7158° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5504&lon=-77.7158&mi=10
- Aircraft: N39721, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N39721) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Waco UPF-7 (registry code 9601302, https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-upf-7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental W670 series (registry code 17018, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WACO UPF-7
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR W670 SERIES
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA23LA345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA345) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230820014519A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON 8/20/2023 AROUND 7:30 PM ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ WAS CONDUCTING AN AIR TOUR RIDE.   AFTER TAKE OFF  THE GROUND CREWS NOTICED THE RIGHT GEAR WAS HANGING OUT OF THE STRUT IN FLIGHT AND UNDER THE AIRCRAFT.  THEY CONTACT THE PILOT, ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ AND HE IMMEDIATELY HE TURNED BACK. ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ INFORMED HIS TWO PASSENGERS OF THE ISSUES, AND TURNED TO THE SOUTH RUNWAY. THEY TOUCHED DOWN ON THE LEFT MAIN WHEEL AT 7:30PM, AND AS THEY ROLLED OUT THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE GROUND, ROLLED NOSE DOWN AND EVERYONE GOT OUT.  NO ONE WAS HURT.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS INSPECTED AND THE RETAINING CAP ON THE BOTTOM OF THE RIGHT STRUT WAS MISSING ONE BOLT AND NUT, AND THE OTHER BOLT AND NUT WERE ATTACHED TO SOME BRAKE LINE.  AFTER DISCUSSION WITH THE MECHANIC THIS ASSEMBLY IS A STRUT WITHIN A STRUT. THE INNER STRUT BROKE LOOSE FROM WITHIN AND CAUSE IT TO BLOW OUT.  THERE IS A BIG NUT ON THE TOP OF THE MAIN STRUT THAT RETAINS THE SPRING, FLUID, AND INNER STRUT.  THE INNER STRUT BROKE FROM WITHIN THE OUTER STRUT.  ALL RECORDS WERE FOUND TO BE CURRENT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA23LA345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA345), Aug 20, 2023: Waco UPF-7 (N39721), Warrenton, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A ground loop during landing resulting from a partial separation of the right main landing gear strut during takeoff.

## Other reports on N39721 (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19890206001779I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890206001779I), Feb 6, 1989: Waco UPF7 (N39721), Marathon, FL, Minor damage. Engine failed on sightseeing flight, ditched in ocean. Believed fuel starvation due to contaminates and corrosion.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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