# NTSB LAX07LA079: Waco UPF-7, N30140, Palos Verdes, CA, February 3, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 3, 2007, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Palos Verdes, CA - Coordinates: 33.6666666666667, -118.4 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6667&lon=-118.4000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 65240 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07LA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65240/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA079 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) the failure of both pilots to maintain adequate visual lookout and clearance from each other while maneuvering in close proximity. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) the failure of both pilots to maintain adequate visual lookout and clearance from each other while maneuvering in close proximity. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, maneuvering - visual lookout - inadequate, pilots of both aircraft (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilots of both aircraft (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - water - Midair collision, maneuvering - visual lookout - inadequate, pilots of both aircraft (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilots of both aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) N30140 and a PT-17 departed the local airport to the south and established radio communication with each other. For approximately 15 minutes, the two airplanes flew independently of each other. During that time, the pilot of N30140 heard over the radio frequency two other pilots that were operating in the area, and the pilot did not see either of the two aircraft. One of those two aircraft was N49270. N30140 and the other PT-17 had then decided to return to the airport. N30140 began to regroup with the PT-17 at an altitude of 3,000 feet mean sea level (msl). Approximately 1,000 feet from the PT-17, the pilot of N30140 felt "a hard impact on my aircraft." The airplane rolled more than 90 degrees to the right in a steep descent. The pilot thought another aircraft struck his; however, he did not see another aircraft. The pilot regained partial control of the airplane and executed a forced landing. During the landing, the airplane stalled approximately 35 feet above the terrain, impacted the terrain, and nosed over. N49270 also departed the same local airport to the south and climbed to 3,000 feet msl. Approximately 20 minutes into the flight, he observed N30140 and another PT-17 coming toward him, and they were not in formation. The two airplanes were flying northwest (N49270 was flying south) and N30140 was a "few hundred feet lower." N49270 and the other PT-17 confirmed visual contact with each other over the radio. N49270 and the other PT-17 intended on joining in formation. With about 1/2 mile separation between the two PT-17s, N30140 crossed under N49270. N49270 then joined up with the other PT-17 and "stabilized on [other PT-17] left wing in the step-up position and headed easterly." Approximately 1 minute later, the pilot of N49270 felt a bump and noticed N30140 was slightly to the left and below his airplane. The pilot of N49270 realized that his propeller contacted the tail section of N30140. N49270 landed uneventfully at the airport. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) N30140 and a PT-17 departed the local airport to the south and established radio communication with each other. For approximately 15 minutes, the two airplanes flew independently of each other. During that time, the pilot of N30140 heard over the radio frequency two other pilots that were operating in the area, and the pilot did not see either of the two aircraft. One of those two aircraft was N49270. N30140 and the other PT-17 had then decided to return to the airport. N30140 began to regroup with the PT-17 at an altitude of 3,000 feet mean sea level (msl). Approximately 1,000 feet from the PT-17, the pilot of N30140 felt "a hard impact on my aircraft." The airplane rolled more than 90 degrees to the right in a steep descent. The pilot thought another aircraft struck his; however, he did not see another aircraft. The pilot regained partial control of the airplane and executed a forced landing. During the landing, the airplane stalled approximately 35 feet above the terrain, impacted the terrain, and nosed over. N49270 also departed the same local airport to the south and climbed to 3,000 feet msl. Approximately 20 minutes into the flight, he observed N30140 and another PT-17 coming toward him, and they were not in formation. The two airplanes were flying northwest (N49270 was flying south) and N30140 was a "few hundred feet lower." N49270 and the other PT-17 confirmed visual contact with each other over the radio. N49270 and the other PT-17 intended on joining in formation. With about 1/2 mile separation between the two PT-17s, N30140 crossed under N49270. N49270 then joined up with the other PT-17 and "stabilized on [other PT-17] left wing in the step-up position and headed easterly." Approximately 1 minute later, the pilot of N49270 felt a bump and noticed N30140 was slightly to the left and below his airplane. The pilot of N49270 realized that his propeller contacted the tail section of N30140. N49270 landed uneventfully at the airport. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On February 3, 2007, approximately 1500 Pacific standard time, a Waco UPF-7 single engine airplane, N30140, and a Boeing A75N1(PT-17) single engine airplane, N49270, collided in midair while maneuvering about 1 mile offshore west of Palos Verdes, California. Both of the airplanes were being operated by their respective owner/pilot's under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airline transport pilot in the N30140, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries, and the private pilot in the N49270, the sole occupant, was not injured. N30140 sustained substantial damage and N49270 sustained minor damage. Both airplanes were on a local personal flight, which departed Zamperini Field Airport (TOA) Torrance, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for either airplane. According to the pilot of N30140, he and another PT-17 departed TOA to the south and established radio communication with each other. For approximately 15 minutes, the two airplanes flew independently of each other. During that time, the pilot of N30140 heard over the radio frequency two other pilots that were operating in the area, and the pilot did not see either of the two aircraft. One of those two aircraft was N49270. N30140 and the other PT-17 had then decided to return to TOA. N30140 began to regroup with the PT-17 at an altitude of 3,000 feet mean sea level (msl). Approximately 1,000 feet from the PT-17, the pilot of N30140 felt "a hard impact on my aircraft." The airplane rolled more than 90 degrees to the right in a steep descent. The pilot thought another aircraft struck his; however, he did not see another aircraft. The pilot regained partial control of the airplane and executed a forced landing to shallow water at Cabrillo Beach Park, San Pedro, California. During the landing, the airplane stalled approximately 35 feet above the terrain, impacted the terrain, and nosed over. Examination of the airplane revealed the rudder and elevator control surfaces were destroyed. According to the pilot of N49270, he departed TOA to the south and climbed to 3,000 feet msl. Approximately 20 minutes into the flight, he observed N30140 and another PT-17 coming toward him, and they were not in formation. The two airplanes were flying northwest (N49270 was flying south) and N30140 was a "few hundred feet lower." N49270 and the other PT-17 confirmed visual with each other over the radio. N49270 and the other PT-17 intended on joining in formation. About 1/2 mile separation between the two PT-17s, N30140 crossed under N49270. N49270 then joined up with the other PT-17 and "stabilized on [other PT-17] left wing in the step-up position and headed easterly." Approximately 1 minute later, N49270 felt a bump and noticed N30140 was slightly to the left and below his airplane. N49270 pulled up and the propeller struck the tail section of N30140. N49270 reported the event to air traffic control and landed uneventfully at TOA. Examination of N49270 revealed damage to the propeller blade tips and a small dent in the lower left wing. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On February 3, 2007, approximately 1500 Pacific standard time, a Waco UPF-7 single engine airplane, N30140, and a Boeing A75N1(PT-17) single engine airplane, N49270, collided in midair while maneuvering about 1 mile offshore west of Palos Verdes, California. Both of the airplanes were being operated by their respective owner/pilot's under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airline transport pilot in N30140, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries, and the private pilot in N49270, the sole occupant, was not injured. N30140 sustained substantial damage and N49270 sustained minor damage. Both airplanes were on a local personal flight, which departed Zamperini Field Airport (TOA) Torrance, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for either airplane. According to the pilot of N30140, he and another PT-17 departed TOA to the south and established radio communication with each other. For approximately 15 minutes, the two airplanes flew independently of each other. During that time, the pilot of N30140 heard over the radio frequency two other pilots that were operating in the area, and the pilot did not see either of the two aircraft. One of those two aircraft was N49270. N30140 and the other PT-17 had then decided to return to TOA. N30140 began to regroup with the PT-17 at an altitude of 3,000 feet mean sea level (msl). Approximately 1,000 feet from the PT-17, the pilot of N30140 felt "a hard impact on my aircraft." The airplane rolled more than 90 degrees to the right in a steep descent. The pilot thought another aircraft struck his; however, he did not see another aircraft. The pilot regained partial control of the airplane and executed a forced landing to shallow water at Cabrillo Beach Park, San Pedro, California. During the landing, the airplane stalled approximately 35 feet above the terrain, impacted the terrain, and nosed over. Examination of the airplane revealed the rudder and elevator control surfaces were destroyed. According to the pilot of N49270, he departed TOA to the south and climbed to 3,000 feet msl. Approximately 20 minutes into the flight, he observed N30140 and another PT-17 coming toward him, and they were not in formation. The two airplanes were flying northwest (N49270 was flying south) and N30140 was a "few hundred feet lower." N49270 and the other PT-17 confirmed visual with each other over the radio. N49270 and the other PT-17 intended on joining in formation. About 1/2 mile separation between the two PT-17s, N30140 crossed under N49270. N49270 then joined up with the other PT-17 and "stabilized on [other PT-17] left wing in the step-up position and headed easterly." Approximately 1 minute later, N49270 felt a bump and noticed N30140 was slightly to the left and below his airplane. N49270 pulled up and the propeller struck the tail section of N30140. N49270 reported the event to air traffic control and landed uneventfully at TOA. Examination of N49270 revealed damage to the propeller blade tips and a small dent in the lower left wing. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N30140](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N30140), registered now, S/N 5537 (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: 5537 - Airframe hours: 6130.5 - Engines: Continental W670-6A 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ralph A. Baxter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2006 - Departed: TOA, TORRANCE, CA ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N49270](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49270-2016-12-05), registration cancelled 2016-12-05, S/N 75-336, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing A75N1(PT17) - Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-336 - Airframe hours: 4000 - Engines: Continental W-670-6N 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Harrison H. Haggard - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2007, 2 hours before - Departed: TOA, TORRANCE, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N30140; age 82; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2006; seat: rear; flight hours: 25,000 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 21,000 as pilot in command - Pilot, aircraft N49270; age 76; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2005; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,615 total, 1,339 in this make and model, 1,556 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 10 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20070203002161A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070203002161A), Feb 3, 2007: Waco UPF7, Torrance, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Waco N30140 struck stearman N49270, as the Waco was attempting to climb so that he could form up on the left wing of another stearman, N48994 that was in… - [Accident 20070203008952A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070203008952A), Feb 3, 2007: Boeing A75N1, Torrance, CA, Minor damage. (-23) Stearman N49270 was struck by waco N30140 midair while N49720 was in trail of another stearman, N48994. The two stearmans were in formation as a flight… 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.