# NTSB GAA16CA089: Waco YMF, N99Y, Fullerton, CA, December 25, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 25, 2015, 15:35 local (23:35 UTC)
- Place: Fullerton, CA
- Coordinates: 33.872501, -117.977218 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8725&lon=-117.9772&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 March 14, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92502
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92502/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92502
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA089

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

## 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 YMF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9600411), [All aircraft, 3,969 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 YMF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9600411), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Waco YMF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=9600411), [All aircraft, 1,201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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 YMF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9600411), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Waco YMF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9600411), [All aircraft, 3,656 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Waco YMF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=9600411), [All aircraft, 1,789 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Waco YMF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=9600411), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped biplane reported that during the landing roll, a gust of wind lifted the right wing. The airplane started to ground-loop to the right, the left main landing gear collapsed, and left wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the bottom left wing. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather reporting station located at Fullerton Municipal Airport reported at 1553 Pacific standard time, wind from 300 degrees at 10 knots, wind gust 20 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear sky, temperature 59 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 16 degrees F, and a barometric pressure of 30.01 inches of mercury.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped biplane reported that during the landing roll, a gust of wind lifted the right wing. The airplane started to ground-loop to the right, the left main landing gear collapsed, and left wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the bottom left wing. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather reporting station located at Fullerton Municipal Airport reported at 1553 Pacific standard time, wind from 300 degrees at 10 knots, wind gust 20 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear sky, temperature 59 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 16 degrees F, and a barometric pressure of 30.01 inches of mercury.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N99Y), registered now, S/N F5-002, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WACO YMF (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Waco YMF](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-ymf) (registry code 9600411) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jacobs R755B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755b-series) (registry code 35007, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: F5-002
- Year built: 1986
- Airframe hours: 720.2
- Engines: JACOBS R755-B2 275 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Scotty Box R&D LLC
- Registered owner: Scotty Box R&D LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 2015
- Departed: FUL, Fullerton, CA
- Destination: FUL, Fullerton, CA
- Airport: FUL, Fullerton Muni, runway 24, 3,121 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 3, 2015; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 416 total, 78 in this make and model, 372 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: KFUL

## 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 20151225023259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151225023259A), Dec 25, 2015: Waco YMF, Fullerton, CA, Substantial damage. After touchdown and during rollout after a normal approach to runway 24 at Fullerton airport in gusty wind conditions, the aircraft, N99Y, entered a ground…

## Other investigations on N99Y (3)

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.

- [NTSB MIA89LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA076), Feb 3, 1989: Waco YMF (N99Y), Key West, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE INABILITY OF THE PLT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AFTER ENCOUNTERING HIS OWN WAKE TURBULENCE AT A LOW ALTITUDE DURING A STEEP TURNING MANEUVER.
- [NTSB MIA88LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA220), Jul 13, 1988: Classic YMF-5 (N99Y), Key West, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA87LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA007), Oct 15, 1986: Waco YMF (N99Y), Key West, FL, substantial damage

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 5, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92502. 2.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436470&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Record of Phone Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436471&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436472&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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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