# NTSB ATL92LA164: Classic Waco YMF-5, N527MN, Surfside Beach, SC, August 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1992, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Surfside Beach, SC
- Location: 33.6097° N, 78.9775° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Surfside Beach, SC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6097&lon=-78.9775&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8650
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8650/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA164

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR AS A RESULT OF INADEQUATE MANUFACTURING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear strut - failure,total (cause)
  - landing gear - inadequate, manufacturer (cause)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT WAS ATTEMPTING A LANDING AT THE PRIVATE SOD AIRFIELD. DURING THE LANDING ATTEMPT, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR AXLE SEPARATED FROM THE LANDING GEAR STRUT, AND THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE AXLE SEPARATED IN FATIGUE AT THE WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE AXLE AND THE JOINT. MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION OF THE WELD REVEALED THAT THERE WERE AREAS OF THE WELD WITH MULTIPLE GAS VOIDS AND SLAG INCLUSIONS, AND THAT THE WELD HAD NOT COMPLETELY PENETRATED AT THE AREA OF THE INBOARD SIDE OF THE SADDLE JOINT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N527MN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N527MN), registered now, S/N F5-012, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Classic Aircraft Corp. WACO YMF-5
- Registry model: [Classic WACO YMF](https://openairdocs.org/model/classic-waco-ymf) (registry code 2240101) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jacobs R755B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755b-series) (registry code 35007, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: F5-012
- Airframe hours: 1657
- Engines: JACOBS R-755B 275 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Beachstormer Air Rides, Inc.
- Registered owner: Southwood Enterprises, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 1992, 78 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Javika, runway 4, 4,000 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 11,060 total, 50 in this make and model, 10,550 as pilot in command, 337 in the last 90 days, 88 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYR, 5 nm away

## 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 19920825032969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920825032969A), Aug 25, 1992: Waco YMF, Surfside Beach, SC, Substantial damage. Right main landing gear axle separated from strut on landing. Nosed over. Prior hard landing and improper weld.

## Other investigations on N527MN (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 CHI94LA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA192), May 28, 1994: Classic YMF-5 (N527MN), Noblesville, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's excessive use of brakes. Factors related to the accident were the crosswind and the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions.

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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