# NTSB GAA18CA332: Waco YKS 7, N17473, Fairhope, AL, June 8, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 8, 2018, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Fairhope, AL
- Coordinates: 30.460832, -87.876945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4608&lon=-87.8769&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 November 5, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 97444
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA332
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97444/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97444
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA332

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing.

## 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 YKS-7, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9600835), [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 YKS-7, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9600835), [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 YKS-7, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9600835), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped biplane reported that, while landing with a "slight cross wind," the biplane ground looped to the right. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was calm. The pilot landed on runway 19.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped biplane reported that, while landing with a "slight cross wind", the biplane ground looped to the right. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was calm. The pilot landed on runway 19.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17473](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17473), registered now, S/N 4611, built 1937 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WACO YKS 7 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Waco YKS-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-yks-7) (registry code 9600835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jacobs L4 /R755-7](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-l4-r755-7) (registry code 35003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4611
- Year built: 1937
- Airframe hours: 2483
- Engines: Jacobs R755B2M 275 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 2018
- Departed: CQF, Fairhope, AL
- Destination: CQF, Fairhope, AL
- Airport: CQF, H L Sonny Callahan, runway 19, 6,604 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review December 16, 2017; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,200 total, 83 in this make and model, 931 as pilot in command, 4.6 in the last 90 days, 4.6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: KCQF

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 20180608007349I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180608007349I), Jun 8, 2018: Waco YKS-7, Fairhope, AL, Minor damage. Airman was landing on runway 19 with light and variable winds. During rollout, aircraft drifted right of centerline in response to light crosswind from the…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97444. 928 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 817 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466353&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Pictures (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466354&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Pictures%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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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