# NTSB ERA26LA300: Waco Classic 2T-1A-2, N621GL, Clermont, FL, August 14, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 14, 2026, 09:26 local (13:26 UTC) - Place: Clermont, FL - Coordinates: 28.410115, -81.836838 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4101&lon=-81.8368&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 1, 2026 - 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): 203590 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA300 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203590/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203590 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA300 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during the landing approach. ## 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 Classic 2T-1A-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9600427), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Waco Classic 2T-1A-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=9600427), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Waco Classic 2T-1A-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=9600427), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the tandem seat biplane, while conducting a short-field landing approach to the runway threshold, he was having trouble seeing his aiming point past the front passenger. He subsequently misjudged the airplane’s descent rate during a turn, and the left wing struck a tree beside the runway overrun. The airplane struck the ground and was consumed by a postimpact fire. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N621GL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N621GL), registered now, S/N 1217, built 2022 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WACO CLASSIC AIRCRAFT CORP 2T-1A-2 - Registry model: [Waco Classic 2T-1A-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-classic-2t-1a-2) (registry code 9600427) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360-B1G6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-b1g6) (registry code 41879, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1217 - Year built: 2022 - Airframe hours: 20 - Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-B1G6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Overwatch Tools Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2026 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 6FL0, Seminole Lake, runway 18, 4,000 × 300 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 12, 2016; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 4,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: ZPH, 20 nm away - METAR: METAR KZPH 141335Z AUTO 36005KT 7SM CLR 30/26 A3015 ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203590. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 306 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20861882&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=pilot%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20861732&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20-%20Pilot%20Interview%20-%20PDF_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photos (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20860917&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20-%20save%20as%20pdf-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.