# NTSB ERA24LA125: Waco UPF-7, N30169, Atlanta, GA, February 24, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 24, 2024, 13:52 local (18:52 UTC) - Place: Atlanta, GA - Coordinates: 33.878307, -84.303827 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8783&lon=-84.3038&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193865 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193865/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193865 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA125 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing in gusting crosswind conditions. ## 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 UPF-7, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9601302), [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 UPF-7, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9601302), [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: [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) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Waco UPF-7, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9601302), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Waco UPF-7, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=9601302), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped biplane had previously performed three uneventful full stop taxi back landings to runway 34. After takeoff the pilot remained in the airport traffic pattern for the fourth landing with the reported wind from 300° at 18 knots, gusting to 31 knots. While slowing after touchdown the airplane began drifting to the left. He applied corrective control inputs, but the airplane departed the runway and collided with a taxiway sign resulting in substantial damage to the lower left wing. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30169](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N30169), registered now, S/N 5566, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WACO UPF-7 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Waco UPF-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-upf-7) (registry code 9601302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5566 - Year built: 1941 - Engines: Continental W670-6A 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 18, 2023, 5,360 hours before - Airport: PDK, Dekalb-Peachtree, runway 34, 3,968 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 12, 2024; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,080 total, 158 in this make and model, 866 as pilot in command, 108 in the last 90 days, 72 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 18 knots, gusting 31 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: KPDK, 0.17 nm away - METAR: METAR KPDK 241853Z 30018G31KT 10SM SCT075 17/M02 A2984 RMK AO2 PK WND 28034/1819 SLP104 T01671017= ## 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 20240224020099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240224020099A), Feb 24, 2024: Waco UPF-7, Atlanta, GA, Substantial damage. The pilot in command had flown three (3) uneventul laps making full stop taxi-backs on runway 34, VFR at kpdk prior to the accident. The tower report for… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 31, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193865. 5.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17724572&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1%20Master%20Form%20Fm%20Web%204%206%202022%20copy_Complete_11%20Pgs_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot initial statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 641 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17725616&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Initital%20Statement-Complete-1%20Pg_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of NTSB conversation (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 161 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17748398&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FINAL%20Record%20of%20Convo%20with%20Victorino%20Rasmussen%2010%201%202024%20v02_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Passenger statement (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17725530&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-Complete_1%20Pg_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Weather reports and records (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17726481&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=PDK%20Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Rel.pdf - FAA chronological summary of flight communications (item 6, PDF, 2 pages, 736 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17732939&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Chrono%20Summary%20of%20Flight%20Communications_2%20Pgs-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 7, PDF, 7 pages, 6 photos, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17728352&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs%20v01-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 378 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17725540&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fully%20Exctd%20Wreckage%20Release%20Form_Redacted-Rel.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.