# NTSB GAA16CA170: Waco CTO, N744H, Ridgeland, SC, March 29, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 29, 2016, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Ridgeland, SC
- Coordinates: 32.493331, -80.991943 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4933&lon=-80.9919&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 June 1, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92922
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92922/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92922
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA170

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop.

## 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 CTO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9601214), [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 CTO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9601214), [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 CTO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9601214), [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 CTO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9601214), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Waco CTO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=9601214), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Waco CTO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=9601214), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped bi-plane reported that during the landing roll, the bi-plane started turning to the right, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the nose of the bi-plane impacted the ground. The bi-plane sustained substantial damage to the left lower wing. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped bi-plane reported that during the landing roll, the bi-plane started turning to the right, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the nose of the bi-plane impacted the ground. The bi-plane sustained substantial damage to the left lower wing. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N744H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N744H), registered now, S/N A-95 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WACO CTO (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Waco CTO](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-cto) (registry code 9601214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright 760E-2](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-760e-2) (registry code 67011, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A-95
- Year built: 1929
- Engines: WRIGHT 760E-2 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 3J1, Ridgeland, SC
- Destination: 3J1, Ridgeland, SC
- Airport: 3J1, Ridgeland, runway 03, 2,692 × 70 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 92; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 15, 2015; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,357 total, 767 in this make and model, 4,829 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0.3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: KNBC, 14 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 20160329003459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160329003459A), Mar 29, 2016: Waco CTO, Ridgeland, SC, Substantial damage. Left main landing gear collapsed shortly after landing causing the aircraft to strike the propeller, cowl, and lower left wing on the ground.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 19, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92922. 981 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 694 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440246&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Pilot Statement (courtesy of the FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440247&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20(courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of Japer County Sheriff's Office) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440245&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Japer%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Office)-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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