# NTSB LAX02LA035: Classic Waco YMF, N31BN, Banning, CA, December 1, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 1, 2001, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Banning, CA - Coordinates: 33.251667, -117.529998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2517&lon=-117.5300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53853 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA035 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53853/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA035 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power due to a crack in the carburetor float and leaking portions of the carburetor that resulted in an overly rich mixture. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - fuel system,carburetor float - cracked (cause) - fuel system,carburetor - leak (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) ## Analysis The airplane lost power on final approach for landing and impacted rocky terrain about 1/4 mile from the approach end of the runway. The pilot stated that he was flying to local airports. The plan was to do a touch-and-go landing and then depart. He noted no discrepancies until the second leg of the flight when he was on final. He had setup for landing, which included reducing power and adding carburetor heat. On final he smelled fuel. He noted that an existing headwind had put the airplane farther back on the approach than he had expected, and he realized that he was not going to make the runway. The pilot advanced the throttle, but did not receive a corresponding power output from the engine. The airplane came to rest in rocky terrain. Later examination of the carburetor float revealed that it was cracked and full of fuel. Furthermore, fuel was leaking around the mixture control, accelerator pump, and in the idle tube area of the carburetor. ## Factual narrative On December 1, 2001, about 1130 Pacific standard time, a Classic Aircraft Corp. Waco YMF, N31BN, lost power on final approach for landing and impacted terrain about 1/4 mile from the approach end of runway 26 at the Banning Municipal Airport (BNG), Banning, California. The airplane, owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from the Redlands Municipal Airport (L12), Redlands, California, about 1100. A stop was made at the San Bernardino International Airport (SBD), San Bernardino, California. The flight was scheduled to terminate at the Redlands airport. The Safety Board investigator interviewed the pilot. The pilot stated that he was flying to local airports. The plan was to do a touch-and-go landing and then depart back to Redlands. He noted no discrepancies with the flight from L12 to SBD or from SBD to BNG until he was on final. He had setup for landing, which included reducing power and adding carburetor heat. He stated that on final he smelled fuel. He noted that an existing headwind had put the airplane farther back on the approach than he had expected, and he realized that he was not going to make the runway. The pilot advanced the throttle, but did not receive a corresponding power output from the engine. The airplane collided with rocks and a berm and came to rest in rocky terrain. Later examination of the carburetor float by Aircraft Fuel Injection Services, Dallas, Texas, revealed that the float cracked and was full of fuel. Furthermore, fuel was leaking around the mixture control, accelerator pump, and in the idle tube area. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N31BN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31BN), registered now, S/N F5C-067, built 1996 (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: F50-067 - Airframe hours: 200 - Engines: Jacobs R755-B2 275 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Randall W. Halliday - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 2001, 35 hours before - Departed: SBD, SAN BERNARDINO, CA - Destination: L12, REDLANDS, CA - Airport: BNG, Banning Municipal, runway 26, 5,260 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 14, 2001; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,388 total, 223 in this make and model, 1,266 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: PSP, 18 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 20011201033729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011201033729A), Dec 1, 2001: Banning, CA, No damage. (.19) On December 1, 2001, about 1230 hours pacific standard time, a classic aircraft corp. waco ymf, N31BN, lost power during landing and impacted terrain… 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.