# NTSB ERA20CA175: Waco QCF, N11457, Shirley, NY, May 3, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 3, 2020, 15:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Shirley, NY
- Coordinates: 40.828056, -72.865554 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8281&lon=-72.8656&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: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 101253
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA175
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101253/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101253
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA175

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose 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: [Waco QCF, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9600408), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Waco QCF, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=9600408), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Waco QCF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=9600408), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/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: [Waco QCF, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9600408), [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: [Waco QCF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=9600408), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane on a grass runway. After touchdown, the pilot applied light differential brake pressure to slow the airplane before exiting the runway; however, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The rudder, vertical stabilizer, and upper wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported the airplane had no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane on a grass runway. After touchdown, the pilot applied light differential brake pressure to slow the airplane before exiting the runway; however, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The rudder, vertical stabilizer, and upper wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported the airplane had no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11457](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11457-2022-06-21), registration cancelled 2022-06-21, S/N 3540, built 1931 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Waco QCF (No Series)
- Registry model: [Waco QCF](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-qcf) (registry code 9600408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3540
- Year built: 1931
- Airframe hours: 965.2
- Engines: Continental W670-6N 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 2020
- Departed: 23N, Bayport, NY
- Destination: HWV, Shirley, NY
- Airport: HWV, Brookhaven, runway 24R, 2,126 × 100 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review May 18, 2020; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 700 total, 86 in this make and model, 468 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.72 inHg
- Observed at: KHWV

## 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 20200503001049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200503001049A), May 3, 2020: Waco QCF, Shirley, NY, Substantial damage. 15:50 EDT aircraft N11457 lands khwv. Pilot reports executing a full stall 3 point landing on runway 24 right grass , pilot states he then applied light…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101253. 3.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484826&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484827&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF
- FAA Inspector's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 189 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484828&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Photos (item 4, .PDF, 519 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484829&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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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