# NTSB GAA16CA229: Waco Classic YMF, N119SW, Pace, FL, May 7, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 7, 2016, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Pace, FL - Coordinates: 30.725, -87.201942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7250&lon=-87.2019&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 31, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93144 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA229 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93144/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93144 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA229 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, and his excessive pitch attitude at low airspeed during initial climb, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and consequent ground impact. ## 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) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Waco Classic YMF-F5C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=9600425), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/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: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Waco Classic YMF-F5C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=9600425), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Waco Classic YMF-F5C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=9600425), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Waco Classic YMF-F5C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=9600425), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was taking off from a grass airstrip outlined by trees, in a tailwheel-equipped bi-plane. The pilot reported that he increased the airspeed and pushed forward on the stick in order to raise the tailwheel off of the ground, at which time the airplane began to veer left. The pilot recalled that he applied full right rudder and right aileron, and the airplane felt like it was "skipping down the runway" while continuing the left veer. The pilot reported that the airplane then swerved to the right, the nose pitched up, and the airplane "skipped", and became airborne at a low airspeed. The pilot recollected that he pulled the throttle back and the airplane banked left, and the left upper and lower wings impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest facing the opposite direction of takeoff, with substantial damage to the left wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that he believe the left main landing gear brake locked up, initiating the accident sequence. An airworthiness inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspected the wheel and brake assembly which had separated from the airplane as a result of the impact, and found that the left wheel rotated freely with no indication of binding. The brake assembly revealed no indications of seizure, and a function check indicated normal operation at the time of the inspection. The FAA Inspector also reported that there were no indications of ground scars on the grass strip in the area of the takeoff roll that indicated binding or seizure of the left brake. Furthermore, a cell phone video of the takeoff, viewed by the NTSB investigator, showed the airplane during the takeoff roll with the tailwheel on the ground for the entire duration of the takeoff roll. The recording showed that as the airplane veered left, the airplane ascended with the nose canted approximately 45 degrees to the left of the runway centerline. The airplane remained airborne for seven seconds before it descended in a left bank, and impacted the ground. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he was taking off from a grass airstrip outlined by trees, in a tailwheel-equipped bi-plane. The pilot reported that he increased the airspeed and pushed forward on the stick in order to raise the tailwheel off of the ground, at which time the airplane began to veer left. The pilot recalled that he applied full right rudder and right aileron, and the airplane felt like it was "skipping down the runway" while continuing the left veer. The pilot reported that the airplane then swerved to the right, the nose pitched up, and the airplane "skipped", and became airborne at a low airspeed. The pilot recollected that he pulled the throttle back and the airplane banked left, and the left upper and lower wings impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest facing the opposite direction of takeoff, with substantial damage to the left wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that he believe the left main landing gear brake locked up, initiating the accident sequence. An airworthiness inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspected the wheel and brake assembly which had separated from the airplane as a result of the impact, and found that the left wheel rotated freely with no indication of binding. The brake assembly revealed no indications of seizure, and a function check indicated normal operation at the time of the inspection. The FAA Inspector also reported that there were no indications of ground scars on the grass strip in the area of the takeoff roll that indicated binding or seizure of the left brake. Furthermore, a cell phone video of the takeoff, viewed by the NTSB investigator, showed the airplane during the takeoff roll with the tailwheel on the ground for the entire duration of the takeoff roll. The recording showed that as the airplane veered left, the airplane ascended with the nose canted approximately 45 degrees to the left of the runway centerline. The airplane remained airborne for seven seconds before it descended in a left bank, and impacted the ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N119SW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N119SW), registered now, S/N F5C112 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WACO CLASSIC AIRCRAFT YMF (F5C) - Registry model: [Waco Classic YMF-F5C](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-classic-ymf-f5c) (registry code 9600425) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: F5C112 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 348.3 - Engines: Jacobs R755B2M 275 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, February 14, 2016 - Departed: 16FL, MILTON, FL - Destination: 16FL, MILTON, FL - Airport: 16FL, J-22 Ranch, runway 36, 3,000 × 200 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2015; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 4,316 total, 112 in this make and model, 4,136 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0.1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KNSE, 10 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 20160507005379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160507005379A), May 7, 2016: Waco Classic Aircraft YMF-F5C, Pace, FL, Substantial damage. Winds were reported as 360 at 3 knots by nearby whiting field ASOS. Airman began takeoff roll on runway 36. Video of the takeoff and subsequent accident shows… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 18, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93144. 2.3 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=40443298&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443299&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 205 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443300&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 4, .PDF, 1 photo, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443301&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-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.