# NTSB LAX07CA124: Waco Classic YMF-F5C, N35MM, Stuart, FL, April 4, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 4, 2007, 11:17 local (15:17 UTC)
- Place: Stuart, FL
- Coordinates: 27.190574, -80.189331 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.1906&lon=-80.1893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65570
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65570/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA124

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

The airplane ground looped during takeoff.  The pilot reported that he had been doing full stop landings.  On his sixth takeoff the plane veered slightly left due to P-factor.  He corrected with right rudder.  His rudder application had minimal effect, so he added more right rudder, which caused the plane to ground loop to the right.  The ground loop substantially damaged the right wing.  The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he had been doing full stop landings at Witham Field, Stuart, Florida.  On his sixth takeoff the plane veered slightly left due to P-factor.  He corrected with right rudder.  His rudder application had minimal effect so he added more right rudder, which caused the plane to ground loop to the right.  The ground loop substantially damaged the right wing.  The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35MM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35MM), registered now, S/N F5C-8-094, built 2001 (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)
- Registry engine: [Jacobs R755B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755b-series) (registry code 35007, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: F5C-094
- Engines: Jacobs R755-BZM reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hugh J. Weidinger
- Registered owner: G&W Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KSUA, Stuart, FL
- Destination: KSUA, Stuart, FL
- Airport: KSUA, Witham Field, runway 30, 5,826 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 3,800 total, 9 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

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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