# NTSB DEN89LA201: Waco UPF7, N2369Q, Watkins, CO, August 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1989, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Watkins, CO
- Coordinates: 39.749969, -104.599212 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7500&lon=-104.5992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17771
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17771/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA201

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE LEFT BRAKE ASSEMBLY, AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,normal brake system - failure,total (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS TAKING PART IN AN AIRSHOW WITH A PERSON STANDING ON THE LEFT WING.  THE PLT SAID THAT WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED DURING LANDING ROLL, THE RIGHT BRAKE OPERATED PROPERLY, BUT THE LEFT BRAKE FAILED.  THE PLANE THEN TURNED RIGHT AND DEPARTED THE RUNWAY, RESULTING IN A GROUND LOOP.  THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND AND BOTH LEFT WINGS WERE BENT. THE PERSON, WHO WAS STANDING ON THE LEFT LOWER WING, WAS THROWN CLEAR.  A POST-ACDNT EXAM REVEALED THAT 3 OF THE 4 BRAKE PADS WERE MISSING FROM THE LEFT BRAKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2369Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2369Q), registered now, S/N 5387, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WACO UPF7
- Registry model: [Waco UPF-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-upf-7) (registry code 9601302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5387
- Airframe hours: 2338
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Jimmy M. Franklin
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1989, 195 hours before
- Departed: FTG
- Destination: FTG
- Airport: FTG, Front Range, runway 8, 8,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 7,650 total, 28 in this make and model, 7,424 as pilot in command, 136 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19890827032159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890827032159A), Aug 27, 1989: Waco UPF7, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Brakes applied on landing roll with tail up. Left brake failed. Ground looped. 3 of 4 brake pads missing left brake

## Other investigations on N2369Q (3)

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 CHI05WA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05WA182), Jul 10, 2005: Waco UPF-7 (N2369Q), Moose Jaw, Canada, destroyed, 2 fatal
- [NTSB FTW76FQD06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76FQD06), Sep 6, 1975: Waco UPF-7 (N2369Q), El Paso, TX, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW74FQG07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74FQG07), Aug 19, 1973: Waco UPF-7 (N2369Q), Dimmitt, TX, 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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