# NTSB ATL96LA012: Waco ASO, N950E, Ridgeland, SC, November 18, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 18, 1995, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Ridgeland, SC
- Coordinates: 32.479377, -80.980316 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4794&lon=-80.9803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3671
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3671/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA012

## Probable cause

Failure of the ignition system after takeoff, which resulted the loss of engine power.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system - failure (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

After climbing approximately 300 feet after takeoff, the aircraft's engine stopped producing power. The pilot stated that he lowered the nose and banked the aircraft back toward the runway. He attempted to align the aircraft with a runway, but was unable. Subsequently, the aircraft slid off the side of the runway, went down a dirt embankment, and nosed over. Postcrash examination of the aircraft disclosed the ignition system was producing a weak spark.

## Factual narrative

On November 18, 1995, at 1100 eastern standard time, a Waco ASO, N950E, was substantially damaged following a collision with the terrain, while maneuvering for an emergency landing at the Ridgeland Municipal Airport in Ridgeland, South Carolina. Neither the commercial pilot nor his passenger were injured in the accident. The flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed for the local, personal flight.

According to the pilot, shortly after liftoff the engine lost power. The pilot attempted a course reversal to the airport. As he maneuvered the airplane for the emergency landing, it  collided with runway 3, skidded down a 30 foot embankment, and nosed over.

Post crash engine examination verified that the engine would not run. It was discovered that the spark being produced by the ignition system was weak.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N950E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Waco ASO
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 142
- Airframe hours: 3085
- Engines: Continental W-670-N 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George B. Farnsworth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1995, 20 hours before
- Airport: 3J1, Ridgeland Municipal, runway 3, 3,100 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,835 total, 541 in this make and model, 3,350 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAE, 15 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 19951118047509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951118047509A), Nov 18, 1995: Waco ASO, Ridgeland, SC, Substantial damage. Lost power after liftoff. Tried to make 180 to return. Stalled. Impacted runway slid down bank. Week mag sparking.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.