# NTSB ERA09CA375: Waco UPF-7, N32132, Manteo, NC, July 4, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 4, 2009, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Manteo, NC
- Coordinates: 35.918888, -75.695556 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9189&lon=-75.6956&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/ FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74188
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA375
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74188/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74188
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA375

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper decision to exit the airplane, with the engine operating. Contributing to the accident was the inadvertent throttle movement by the passenger.

## Findings

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

- [Parking/securing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011000): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Waco UPF-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011000/cases.md?model=9601302), [All aircraft, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011000/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Waco UPF-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=9601302), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Waco UPF-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=9601302), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md)
- [Action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Passenger (probable cause); cases with it: [Waco UPF-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md?model=9601302), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Standing-engine(s) operating: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Waco UPF-7, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9601302), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Waco UPF-7, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=9601302), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was giving scenic rides in the vintage airplane. The airplane was parked on the ramp, with the engine operating, and two passengers seated in the front seat. The pilot stated that he set the parking brake, and exited the airplane to secure a baggage latch, when one of the passengers "bumped" the throttle. The passenger seated in the left front seat stated that he and his wife were escorted to, and seated in the airplane, while the pilot was talking with a passenger from the previous flight. He further stated that he was in the airplane for a few seconds, when he turned, and then heard the engine sound increase. The airplane accelerated across the ramp, and struck a parked airplane. Damage to the airplane consisted of bent left wing struts with the upper left wing bent downward approximately 30 degrees, and a bent left aileron. The passenger further stated that he did not receive any pre-boarding instructions or a pre-flight briefing. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. It was noted that the engine controls were located on the left side wall of the cabin.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was giving scenic rides in the vintage airplane. The airplane was parked on the ramp, with the engine operating, and two passengers seated in the front seat. The pilot stated he set the parking brake, and exited the airplane to secure a baggage latch, when one of the passengers "bumped" the throttle. The passenger seated in the left front seat stated that he and his wife were escorted to, and seated in the airplane, while the pilot was talking with a passenger from the previous flight. He further stated that he was in the airplane for a few seconds, when he turned, and then heard the engine sound increase. The airplane accelerated across the ramp, and struck a parked airplane. Damage to the airplane consisted of bent left wing struts with the upper left wing bent downward approximately 30 degrees, and a bent left aileron. The passenger further stated that he did not receive any pre-boarding instructions or a pre-flight briefing. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. It was noted that the engine controls were located on the left side wall of the cabin.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32132](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N32132), registered now, S/N 5764 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WACO UPF-7
- Registry model: [Waco UPF-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-upf-7) (registry code 9601302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental R670-SERIES series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-r670-series-series) (registry code 17016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5764
- Engines: Continental R-670-6A 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: OBX Air Tours
- Registered owner: Richard Forbes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MQI, Manteo, NC
- Destination: MQI, Manteo, NC
- Airport: MQI, Dare County Regional Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 21,100 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: MQI

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 27, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74188. 1.2 MB in all.

- Pilot Statement to FAA July 4, 2009 (item 1, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316526&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20to%20FAA%20July%204,%202009-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Statement to FAA July 5, 2009 (item 2, .PDF, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316527&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20to%20FAA%20July%205,%202009-Redacted.PDF
- Witness Interview Statements to FAA (item 3, .PDF, 212 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316528&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Interview%20Statements%20to%20FAA-Redacted.PDF
- Photograph # 1 - View of Damage to Upper Left Wing and Left Wing Strut (Provided by Dare County Airport Operations) (item 4, .PDF, 350 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316549&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20-%20View%20of%20Damage%20to%20Upper%20Left%20Wing%20and%20Left%20Wing%20Strut%20(Provided%20by%20Dare%20County%20Airport%20Operations)-Master.PDF
- Photograph # 2 - View of Front Cockpit Engine Controls (Provided by FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 408 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316550&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%20%202%20-%20View%20%20of%20Front%20Cockpit%20Engine%20Controls%20(Provided%20by%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Memorandum For Record: Non Submittal of Pilot/Operator Report Form 6120 (item 6, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316708&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%3A%20Non%20Submittal%20of%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Report%20Form%206120-Master.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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