# NTSB GAA18CA434: Classic Waco, N96T, North Myrtle Beach, SC, July 9, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 9, 2018, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: North Myrtle Beach, SC - Coordinates: 33.811668, -78.723892 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8117&lon=-78.7239&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: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97854 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA434 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97854/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97854 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA434 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in a left quartering headwind. ## 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: [Classic WACO YMF, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2240101), [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: [Classic WACO YMF, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2240101), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Classic WACO YMF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2240101), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: [Classic WACO YMF, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2240101), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Classic WACO YMF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2240101), [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: [Classic WACO YMF, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2240101), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, after a three-point landing, the airplane began to "shudder" and veered left. He corrected by applying forward pressure to the control stick and right rudder, and the airplane's tailwheel raised off the runway, and the airplane regained the runway heading. As the airspeed decreased, the tailwheel touched down on the runway, and the airplane shuddered and veered left again. He corrected with right rudder, left brake and aileron, but the airplane ground looped to the left, and the main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that, about 1 hour before the accident, the wind was from 340º at 12 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The airport's automated weather observation system reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 340° at 8 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 5. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, after a three-point landing, the airplane began to "shudder" and veered left. He corrected with forward pressure to the control stick and opposite rudder and the airplane's tail raised off the runway and the airplane regained the runway heading. As the airspeed decreased, the tailwheel touched down again on the runway, and the airplane shuddered and veered left again. He corrected with opposite rudder, left brake and aileron, but the airplane ground looped to the left, and the main landing gears collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that, about one hour prior to the accident, the wind was from 340º at 12 knots, gusting 17 knots. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time the accident, the wind was from 340° at 8 knots. The airplane landed on runway 5. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N96T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N96T), registered now, S/N F5C-052 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CLASSIC AIRCRAFT CORP WACO (YMF) - Registry model: [Classic WACO YMF](https://openairdocs.org/model/classic-waco-ymf) (registry code 2240101) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jacobs R755B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755b-series) (registry code 35007, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: F5C-052 - Year built: 1993 - Engines: Jacobs R-755 B 275 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Executive Helicopters Inc - Registered owner: Executive Helicopters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 8, 2018 - Departed: CRE, North Myrtle Beach, SC - Destination: CRE, North Myrtle Beach, SC - Airport: CRE, Grand Strand, runway 05, 5,997 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 14, 2018; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 6,645 total, 250 in this make and model, 6,450 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: KCRE ## 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 20180709015909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180709015909A), Jul 9, 2018: Classic Aircraft Corp WACO YMF, North Myrtle Be, SC, Substantial damage. On July 9, 2018 at 1150 am, west columbia FSDO SO-13, received notification of an accident at airport kcre that involved aircraft registration number N96T. The… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 9, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97854. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 890 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472768&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472769&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472770&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-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.