# NTSB ATL97LA017: Waco YMF5, N723SR, Punta Gorda, FL, October 24, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 24, 1996, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Punta Gorda, FL - Coordinates: 26.890352, -82.049079 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8904&lon=-82.0491&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 2, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3806 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3806/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA017 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper flare during touchdown. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis According to the pilot, the airplane touched down hard on the left main landing gear during landing and the left gear collapsed. ## Factual narrative On October 24, 1996, at 1650 eastern standard time, a Waco YMF5, N723SR, collided with the ground during a landing on runway 15 at the Charlotte County Airport, in Punta Gorda, Florida. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight departed Punta Gorda, Florida, at 1615. According to the pilot, the airplane touched down hard on the left main landing gear during a normal attempted landing to a full stop. He also stated that the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing was damaged. Examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N723SR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N723SR), registered now, S/N F5C-070, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Waco YMF5 - 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: F5C070 - Engines: Jacobs R-755 275 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Stephen E. Raville - Registered owner: 122 Ventures Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 1996, 41 hours before - Departed: PGD - Airport: PGD, Charlotte County, runway 15, 5,049 × 140 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,000 total, 26 in this make and model, 1,790 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FMY, 30 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 19961024037059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961024037059A), Oct 24, 1996: Waco YMF, Punta Gorda, FL, Substantial damage. Landed hard on left main gear collapsing same. Damaged left lower wing. ## Other investigations on N723SR (2) 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 NYC04CA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA190), Aug 9, 2004: Classic Waco YMF (N723SR), Bar Harbor, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor was the crosswind. - [NTSB ATL98LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA101), Aug 6, 1998: Waco WMF (N723SR), Chamblee, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive taxi speed and excessive braking action that resulted in a nose over. 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.