# NTSB CEN26LA145: Classic Waco YMF, N43000, Galveston, TX, March 24, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 24, 2026, 10:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Galveston, TX · On the uncontrolled ramp area
- Coordinates: 29.26585, -94.85683
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2659&lon=-94.8568&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 30, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Houston FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202693
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202693/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202693
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA145

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The biplane pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout while taxiing, which included the failure to perform S-turns to compensate for limited forward visibility.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Towing and taxiing: taxiing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation, aircraft 1; cases with it: [Classic WACO YMF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920/cases.md?model=2240101), [All aircraft, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920/cases.md)
- [Sensory ability/limitation: visual function](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot, aircraft 1; cases with it: [Classic WACO YMF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510/cases.md?model=2240101), [All aircraft, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Classic WACO YMF, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2240101), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot, aircraft 1; cases with it: [Classic WACO YMF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2240101), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md)
- [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot of other aircraft, aircraft 2; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md)
- [Pressures/demands: time/schedule pressure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042010): Environmental issues › Task environment · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042010/cases.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Classic WACO YMF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2240101), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)
- [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Classic WACO YMF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2240101), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)
- [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)
- [Standing-engine(s) operating: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

The pilot receiving instruction and flight instructor of a single engine low wing airplane were completing a preflight engine run-up in the designated run-up area. The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped biplane after landing was cleared by the tower controller to taxi to the company hangar. The pilot of the biplane stated that while taxiing, he failed to make S-turns to improve his forward visibility due to the tailwheel configuration. The pilot of the biplane reported that he never saw the other airplane until making contact. The flight instructor stated that by the time they saw the biplane, there was not enough time to take evasive action before impact. The low wing airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, and the biplane sustained substantial damage to the lower right wing and wing struts. Both airplanes’ pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with their corresponding airplanes that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N43000](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N43000), registered now, S/N F5C-060, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CLASSIC AIRCRAFT CORP WACO YMF (NO SERIES)
- 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: F5C-060
- Year built: 1994
- Airframe hours: 1399
- Engines: Jacobs Aircraft Engine Company R-755B2 275 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Scallywag Air LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 18, 2026, 39.4 hours before
- Departed: KGLS, Galveston, TX
- Destination: KGLS, Galveston, TX
- Airport: KGLS, Scholes International At Galveston Airport
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N351L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N351L), registered now, S/N 40.NC051, built 2019 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 40 NG (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG](https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da-40-ng) (registry code 2990014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Austro E4-A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/austro-e4-a) (registry code 06402, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 40.NC051
- Year built: 2019
- Airframe hours: 5922.8
- Engines: Austro Engine E4-A 168 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Leadership in Flight Training Academy
- Registered owner: Lift Aircraft LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 23, 2026, 0 hours before
- Departed: KGLA, Galveston, TX
- Destination: KBMT, Beaumont, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N43000; age 41; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review November 24, 2025; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,339 total, 250 in this make and model, 5,198 as pilot in command, 15.5 in the last 90 days, 8.5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours
- Flight instructor, aircraft N351L; age 28; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 9, 2025; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 385 total, 360 in this make and model, 276 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot, aircraft N351L; age 18; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observed at: KGLS
- METAR: METAR KGLS 241452Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 23/21 A3014 RMK AO1 SLP206 T02280206 52012

## FAA reports on this event (2)

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

- [Incident 20260324002642I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260324002642I), Mar 24, 2026: Classic Aircraft Corp WACO YMF, Galveston, TX, Minor damage. At approximately 10:40AM, the pilot and lone occupant of the #1 aircraft was returning from a short flight and landed on runway 18, and exited at taxiway…
- [Accident 20260324002652A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260324002652A), Mar 24, 2026: Diamond Aircraft Ind Inc DA 40 NG, Galveston, TX, Substantial damage. #1 Aircraft was parked facing west, engine running in non movement area, with instructor and student on board, when the aircraft was struck in the right wing…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 30, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202693. 10.9 MB in all.

- Pilot aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 - N43000 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20181588&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA145%20Waco_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 - N351L (item 2, PDF, 10 pages, 5.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20180230&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA145%20Diamond_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 514 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20172220&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA145%20NTSB%20photo%20list-Rel.pdf

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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