# NTSB LAX07CA192: Waco UPF-7, N32035, Reno, NV, June 19, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 19, 2007, 11:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.509723, -119.76889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5097&lon=-119.7689&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66078 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA192 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66078/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA192 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The airplane ground looped during the landing roll, and sustained damage to the lower right wing. The pilot departed for a 15-minute sightseeing ride with one passenger. Upon landing on runway 34R, he did a wheel landing at 45 mph, and then lowered the tail wheel at 5 mph. The airplane violently veered left. He applied full right rudder, but the airplane did not respond. He realized that the airplane was out of control, and applied both brakes to stop the airplane's rotation. The airplane ended up 270 degrees to the runway heading. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Factual narrative On June 19, 2007, about 1120 Pacific daylight time, a Waco UPF-7, N32035, ground looped during landing at Reno, Nevada. Sierra Biplane Adventures LLC was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local revenue sightseeing flight departed Reno about 1100. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot submitted a written report. He stated that he departed for a 15-minute ride with one passenger. Upon landing on runway 34R, he did a wheel landing at 45 mph, and then lowered the tail wheel at 5 mph. The airplane violently veered left. He applied full right rudder, but the airplane did not respond. He realized that the airplane was out of control, and applied both brakes to stop the airplane's rotation. The airplane ended up 270 degrees to the runway heading with the engine not running. He restarted the engine, and taxied to the ramp. The airplane sustained damage to the right lower wing front and rear spars. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N32035](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N32035), registered now, S/N 5666, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Waco UPF-7 - Registry model: [Waco UPF-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-upf-7) (registry code 9601302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5666 - Engines: Continental W-670-GA 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Sierra Biplane Adventures LLC - Registered owner: Randel R. McLain - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: RNO, Reno, NV - Destination: RNO, Reno, NV - Airport: KRNO, Reno, runway 34R, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,869 total, 97 in this make and model, 147 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KRNO ## 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 20070619011209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070619011209A), Jun 19, 2007: Waco UPF7, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft ground looped while landing at Reno-Tahoe international airport. Substantial wind damage occurred on the lower right wing. 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.