# Accident 20240224020099A: Waco UPF-7, Atlanta, GA, February 24, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 24, 2024, 13:52 local time
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Airport: Dekalb-Peachtree
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.8783° N, 84.3038° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8783&lon=-84.3038&mi=10
- Aircraft: N30169, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N30169) (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: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, private pilot, student
- Pilot flight hours: 1,005 total, 150 in this make and model, 70 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA24LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA125) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240224020099A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT IN COMMAND HAD FLOWN THREE (3) UNEVENTUL LAPS MAKING FULL STOP TAXI-BACKS ON RUNWAY 34, VFR AT KPDK PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE TOWER REPORT FOR WEATHER WAS 30017G32KTS. MAXIMUM DEMONSTRATED CROSSWINDS FOR THE WACO UPF-7 IS 15 KNOTS.

INVESTIGATIVE VIDEO FROM THE KPDK FBO DEPICTS THE PIC LOSING CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT ON LANDING DUE TO HIGH WINDS. THE 8020-9 TOWER REPORT STATED THAT AIRCRAFT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ HAD NOT REDUCED ENOUGH SPEED TO RECEIVE RUNWAY EXIT INSTRUCTIONS. SHORTLY AFTER LANDING DURING TAXI THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR WHEEL IS LIFTED FROM THE RUNWAY HIGH ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE RIGHT WING TO STRIKE THE RUNWAY. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR IS BROUGHT BACK DOWN TO THE RUNWAY AND IMMEDIATELY BEGANS TO VEER INTO THE GRASSY AREA CONTAINING AIRPORT E AND B LOCATION/DIRECTIONAL SIGNS.  THE AIRCRAFT STRIKES A SIGN DAMAGING THE LEFT SPAR FORWARD OF THE AILERON. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUES TO ROLL THROUGH THE GRASSY AREA ONTO A PAVED TAXI AREA, THEN COMES TO A BRIEF STOP. VIDEO SHOWS THAT APPROXIMATELY 23 SECONDS PASSES AND THE PILOT BEGANS TO TAXI THE AIRCRAFT TOWARDS THE HANGAR AREA. THERE IS A KNOWN NO MOVEMENT AREA 30 YARDS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE PIC DECLARED THE AIRCRAFT AND PERSONNEL ON BOARD AS UNINJURED AND AIRCRAFT OPERATIONAL.

THIS INVESTIGATION DETERMINES THAT THE PILOT IN COMMAND KNOWINGLY OPERATED THE WACO-UPF 7 IN THE UNSAFE CONDTIONS OF HIGH WINDS AND GUSTS OF UP TO 32 KNOTS. THE PILOT IN COMMAND DID NOT ADHERE TO KNOWN SAFTEY PRECAUTIONS AND PRACTICES EVEN AFTER BRING THE AIRCRAFT TO A STOP.

END NARRATIVE.

## 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 ERA24LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA125), Feb 24, 2024: Waco UPF-7 (N30169), Atlanta, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing in gusting crosswind conditions.

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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