# NTSB CHI88LA202: Waco ATO, N763E, Middletown, OH, August 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1988, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Middletown, OH
- Coordinates: 39.560344, -84.41954 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5603&lon=-84.4195&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 December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14139
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14139/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA202

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,glassy

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING INITIAL CLIMB THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND HE DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE GAUGE READ ZERO. HE MADE AN IMMEDIATE RIGHT TURN BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GLIDE TO THE AIRPORT HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS SET ON THE AUXILIARY TANK. THE PILOT THEN SELECTED THE MAIN TANK WHICH HELD APPROXIMATELY 61 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE PLT INDICATED THAT BEFORE THE ENGINE COULD RESUME POWER THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE AND CONTINUED ITS DESCENT INTO A POND AND FLIPPED OVER. BOTH PERSONS THEN EXITED THE AIRPLANE AND WERE PICKED UP BY A SMALL BOAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N763E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N763E), registered now, S/N A-114, built 1929 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WACO ATO
- Registry model: [Waco ASO](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-aso) (registry code 9601202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright WWJ series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-wwj-series) (registry code 67007, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 114
- Airframe hours: 1310
- Engines: WRIGHT R-975-11 420 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William E. Hogan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1988, 6 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 325 total, 4 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19880812032599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880812032599A), Aug 12, 1988: Waco ATO, Middletown, OH, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Fuel selector on aux tank which ran dry. Hit a tree and flipped over in a pond returning.

## Other investigations on N763E (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 CHI70D0091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70D0091), Jun 29, 1969: Waco ASO (N763E), Dayton, OH, substantial damage

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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