# NTSB ERA20CA214: Waco YMF F5C, N323TX, Ghent, NY, June 13, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 13, 2020, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Ghent, NY - Coordinates: 42.347221, -73.635559 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3472&lon=-73.6356&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 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): 101435 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA214 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101435/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101435 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA214 ## Probable cause A loss of directional control on takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Waco Classic YMF-F5C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9600425), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Waco Classic YMF-F5C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9600425), [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. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Waco Classic YMF-F5C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9600425), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Waco Classic YMF-F5C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=9600425), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped bi-plane was performing practice takeoffs and landings on a 75-foot-wide turf runway following an uneventful local flight. During the fourth takeoff, the airplane accelerated down the runway and after the pilot raised the tailwheel off the ground, the airplane suddenly drifted toward the left side of the runway. The left-wing tip contacted trees and brush near the runway's left edge, and pivoted the airplane left into the trees. Both wings and the fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot also reported that "modest but variable and gusty winds" prevailed at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N323TX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N323TX-2023-04-01), registration cancelled 2023-04-01, S/N F5C-8-124, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Waco YMF F5C (No Series) - Registry model: [Waco Classic YMF-F5C](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-classic-ymf-f5c) (registry code 9600425) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jacobs R-755A2M](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r-755a2m) (registry code 35020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: F5C-8-124 - Year built: 2011 - Airframe hours: 296.7 - Engines: Jacobs R755A2M 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 14, 2019, 24 hours before - Departed: NY1, Ghent, NY - Destination: NY1, Ghent, NY - Airport: NY1, Kline Kill, runway 01, 4,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 17, 2019; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 1,150 total, 16 in this make and model, 960 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: PSF, 16 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 20200613010709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200613010709A), Jun 13, 2020: Waco Classic Aircraft YMF-F5C, Ghent, NY, Substantial damage. 06/13/2020 - Pilot and passenger attempted to depart NY1. Upon departure aircraft control was lost. Aircraft impacted tree's on the left side of runway before… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101435. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485045&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 312 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485046&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Correspondence FAA inspector (item 3, .PDF, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485047&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Correspondence%20FAA%20inspector-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 4, .PDF, 604 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485048&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.