# NTSB ATL07CA114: Waco Classic YMF-5, N801TS, Nantucket, MA, August 14, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 14, 2007, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Nantucket, MA
- Coordinates: 41.251945, -70.056114
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2519&lon=-70.0561&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Boston FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66443
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL07CA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66443/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07CA114

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff roll, which resulted in an on ground collision with an airport sign.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - airport sign/marker

## Analysis

According to the pilot, "with a crosswind at 10+ knots, I attempted a take-off on runway 15. After the tail wheel had lifted but before take-off, a [wind] gust suddenly drove the aircraft towards the right edge of the runway. Rather then incur a ground loop for the amount of correction necessary, I decelerated straight ahead. Where upon I hit what I later found out was a large runway sign off the side of the runway in the grassy area." The pilot further stated that, "I should have requested runway 6, which was almost aligned with the wind." Additionally, the pilot reported no mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar and left main strut.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, "with a crosswind at 10+ knots, I attempted a take-off on runway 15. After the tail wheel had lifted but before take-off, a [wind] gust suddenly drove the aircraft towards the right edge of the runway. Rather then incur a ground loop for the amount of correction necessary, I decelerated straight ahead. Where upon I hit what I later found out was a large runway sign off the side of the runway in the grassy area." The pilot further stated that, "I should have requested runway 6, which was almost aligned with the wind." Additionally, the pilot reported no mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar and left main strut.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N801TS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N801TS), registered now, S/N F5C090, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Waco Classic Aircraft Corp YMF-5
- Registry model: [Waco Classic YMF](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-classic-ymf) (registry code 9600413) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jacobs R755B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755b-series) (registry code 35007, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: F5C-090
- Airframe hours: 150
- Engines: Jacobs R755-B2M 275 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas Carl Schneider
- Registered owner: Schneider Aero Services LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2007, 13 hours before
- Departed: ACK, Nantucket, MA
- Airport: ACK, Nantucket Memorial Airport, runway 15, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 3,746 total, 199 in this make and model, 38 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observed at: ACK

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20070814016009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070814016009A), Aug 14, 2007: Waco YMF, Nantucket, MA, Substantial damage. (-23) During take-off roll, aircraft veered off the right side of runway 15 on Nantucket airport, Nantucket, MA at 1616 EDT, 8/14/07. Aircraft struck the 3000…

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.

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