# NTSB LAX91LA370: Waco UPF-7, N30107, Wallace, CA, August 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1991, 19:30 local (Aug 25, 1991, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Wallace, CA
- Coordinates: 38.190093, -120.950897 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1901&lon=-120.9509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27338
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA370
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27338/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA370

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY ALIGN HIS AIRPLANE WITH THE RUNWAY AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF.  CONTRIBUTING FACTORS RELATED TO THE PRESENCE OF ROUGH AND DOWNHILL TERRAIN ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - downhill
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - object - fence post
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted
  - landing gear,main gear - collapsed

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF HIS AIRPLANE AS HE WAS BEGINNING THE TAKEOFF ROLL FROM HIS PRIVATELY OWNED 1200-FOOT LONG DIRT RUNWAY.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THIS AIRPLANE WAS 'NOT ALIGNED' WITH THE RUNWAY, SO HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF.  AS THE AIRPLANE WAS ROLLING TO A STOP ON THE ADJACENT DOWNHILL AND ROUGH TERRAIN, IT COLLIDED WITH FENCE POSTS AND A DIRT BANK WHEREUPON THE MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30107](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N30107), registered now, S/N 5504, built 1940 (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: 5504
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 67A-6A 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Henry W. Smith
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: NONE, Flying Ranch

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,204 total, 646 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19910824036489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910824036489A), Aug 24, 1991: Waco UPF7, Wallace, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff. Aborted. Unable stop. Ran down hill. Struck fence post and dirt bank.

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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