# NTSB ERA14CA012: Classic Waco YMF, N62XX, Somerville, NJ, October 15, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 15, 2013, 12:55 local (16:55 UTC) - Place: Somerville, NJ - Coordinates: 40.62611, -74.67028 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6261&lon=-74.6703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 13, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 88262 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88262/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88262 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA012 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while applying wheel brakes during landing roll resulting in the airplane nosing over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Classic WACO YMF, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2240101), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Classic WACO YMF, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2240101), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Classic WACO YMF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2240101), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that she departed from runway 26, and flew over a local golf course, then turned to return to the departure airport where she entered the traffic pattern on the downwind leg for runway 26, flying between 75 and 80 knots. She descended to 800 feet and prior to turning base leg she slowed to between 65 and 70 knots, which she maintained on base and final. She turned onto base leg and descended to 500 feet and at that altitude turned onto final approach for runway 26 slowing at touchdown. She performed a wheel landing a few feet farther along the runway than typical or "a little long" which she described as abeam the western edge of the hangars. The airplane travelled onto a portion of the runway that causes undulations and with aft stick applied after encountering the undulations, she tapped the brakes. The airplane then nosed over. She further reported that there was nothing mechanically wrong with the airplane that caused the nose over, and the area of the runway where the undulations were located also was not the cause of the accident. Various video recordings depicted the approach and nose-over sequence; however, the actual touchdown point was not captured. An individual at the accident airport provided a reference for where the airplane came to rest, which was located before a diagonal line that is visible in a Google Earth image. Plotting on Google Earth of the pilot reported touchdown point indicates that position was located about 800 down the 2,200 foot long grass runway, which has the west 500 feet described as being unsuitable for takeoff or landing due to uneven surface. Therefore, the pilot reported touchdown point occurred nearly halfway down the usable length of runway. Although the exact location where the airplane came to rest was not documented, based on video recording, that was located about 500 feet from the pilot reported touchdown point. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that she departed from runway 26, and flew over a local golf course, then turned to return to the departure airport where she entered the traffic pattern on the downwind leg for runway 26, flying between 75 and 80 knots. She descended to 800 feet and prior to turning base leg she slowed to between 65 and 70 knots, which she maintained on base and final. She turned onto base leg and descended to 500 feet and at that altitude turned onto final approach for runway 26 slowing at touchdown. She performed a wheel landing a few feet farther along the runway than typical or "a little long" which she described as abeam the western edge of the hangars. The airplane travelled onto a portion of the runway that causes undulations and with aft stick applied after encountering the undulations, she tapped the brakes. The airplane then nosed over. She further reported that there was nothing mechanically wrong with the airplane that caused the nose over, and the area of the runway where the undulations were located also was not the cause of the accident. Various video recordings depicted the approach and nose-over sequence; however, the actual touchdown point was not captured. An individual at the accident airport provided a reference for where the airplane came to rest, which was located before a diagonal line that is visible in a Google Earth image. Plotting on Google Earth of the pilot reported touchdown point indicates that position was located about 800 down the 2,200 foot long grass runway, which has the west 500 feet described as being unsuitable for takeoff or landing due to uneven surface. Therefore, the pilot reported touchdown point occurred nearly halfway down the usable length of runway. Although the exact location where the airplane came to rest was not documented, based on video recording, that was located about 500 feet from the pilot reported touchdown point. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N62XX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N62XX), registered now, S/N F5-027 (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: F5-027 - Year built: 1989 - Airframe hours: 583 - Engines: JACOBS R755B SERIES 275 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Singh Meera - Registered owner: Singh Meera - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 2013 - Departed: SMQ, Somerville, NJ - Destination: SMQ, Somerville, NJ - Airport: SMQ, Somerset Airport, runway 26, 2,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 5, 2013; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,390 total, 67 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days - Pilot-rated passenger; age 55; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,100 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: SMQ ## 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 20131015021959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131015021959A), Oct 15, 2013: Classic Aircraft Corp WACO YMF, Somerville, NJ, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed on runway 26 which is a grass runway. The pilot applied aircraft brakes and aircraft nosed over and landed on top wing and tail. ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 4, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88262. 5.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403608&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403625&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Airport Master Record Form 5010 for Somerset Airport (SMQ) (item 3, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403630&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Master%20Record%20Form%205010%20for%20Somerset%20Airport%20(SMQ)-Master.PDF - Record of NTSB Conversations (item 4, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40409323&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversations-Redacted.PDF - Excerpts from Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3A (item 5, .PDF, 130 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40409295&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20from%20Airplane%20Flying%20Handbook%20FAA-H-8083-3A-Master.PDF - Still Image Extracted from Aiport Video Depicting the Nose-Over Location. (item 6, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40409327&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Still%20Image%20Extracted%20from%20Aiport%20Video%20Depicting%20the%20Nose-Over%20Location.-Master.PDF - Google Earth Plot Depicting Somerset Airport, Pilot Estimated Touchdown Point, and Estimated Nose-Over Location (item 7, .PDF, 209 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40409330&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Google%20Earth%20Plot%20Depicting%20Somerset%20Airport,%20Pilot%20Estimated%20Touchdown%20Point,%20and%20Estimated%20Nose-Over%20Location-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Depicting the Nosed-Over Airplane on the Runway. (item 8, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403633&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Depicting%20the%20Nosed-Over%20Airplane%20on%20the%20Runway.-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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.