# NTSB DEN84FA211: Waco UPF-7, N32079, Brighton, CO, July 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1984, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Brighton, CO
- Coordinates: 39.949317, -104.790016 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9493&lon=-104.7900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16227
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16227/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA211

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - aircraft service - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue(lack of sleep), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - correcting lenses, not worn, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - , pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED CASPER, WY, AT 0500 WITH FULL FUEL TANKS. AT 0807 THE PLT LANDED AT AN AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE BUT DECLINEED TO REFUEL AND DEPARTED AT 0918. ONLY A TRACE OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE ACFT WRECKAGE. THE ACFT HAD BEEN ALOFT 3 HOURS AND 34 MINUTES. THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE ACFT INDICATED THAT THE ENG BURNED APPROXIMATELY 15 GPH. THE TOTAL USEABLE FUEL CAPACITY IS 48 GALLONS. THE PLT TOLD THE AIRPLANE'S PREVIOUS OWNER THAT HE HAD GOTTEN LESS THAN 3 HOURS OF SLEEP THE NIGHT BEFORE THE FLT. THE PLT DECLINED A CHECKOUT IN THE ACFT PRIOR TO THE FLT AND HAD NO PREVIOUS FLT TIME IN THE WACO.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32079](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32079-1990-08-23), registration cancelled 1990-08-23, S/N 5711 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WACO UPF-7
- Registry model: [Waco UPF-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-upf-7) (registry code 9601302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5711
- Airframe hours: 1941
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W-670-6A 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Francis E Caton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 5, 1984, 3 hours before
- Departed: BKF, AURORA, CO
- Destination: 48V, ERIE, CO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,114 total, 1,014 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEN, 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 19840706030339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840706030339A), Jul 6, 1984: Waco UPF7, Brighton, CO, Destroyed. Crash occured when aircraft stalled during attempted emergency landing. Fuel exhaustion suspected.

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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