# NTSB LAX98LA165: Waco YMF, N43064, Sedona, AZ, May 19, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 19, 1998, 08:56 local (15:56 UTC) - Place: Sedona, AZ - Coordinates: 34.939956, -111.939949 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9400&lon=-111.9399&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30092 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30092/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA165 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to secure the ignition system and magnetos in the off position before asking the ground crewman to rotate the propeller. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - starting engine(s) - ignition system,magneto - not secured (cause) - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command - propeller - encountered, ground personnel ## Analysis A ground crewman was injured when rotating the propeller before engine start, and the propeller reversed in a 180-degree kickback. The pilot reported that the magnetos had been in the off position and only the master switch was on. An FAA inspector examined the ignition system and found no evidence of mechanical malfunction. He also reported that the aircraft had two 100-hour inspections within the past 2 months, at which time the ignition system was checked with no abnormalities noted. ## Factual narrative On May 19, 1998, at 0856 hours mountain standard time, a ground crewman was struck by a propeller while rotating a propeller on a Waco YMF, N43064, at the Sedona, Arizona, airport. The aircraft sustained minor damage. The pilot and passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured; however, the ground crewman suffered serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident as a local area for-hire sightseeing operation, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The aircraft was parked on the ramp at a fixed-base operator. A ground crewman was pulling the propeller through before starting, and the propeller reversed in a 180-degree kickback. The ground crewman suffered two broken legs, along with other injuries, and was transported to a hospital. The ground crewman explained that it was the operator's usual practice to have the propeller rotated seven times before starting the engine to distribute oil through the cylinders. He stated that he had not specifically asked the pilot if the magneto switch was turned off, but said that since the pilot asked him to turn the propeller, he had assumed the switch was off. He further stated that he had hand-propped a propeller on several occasions prior to the accident. The pilot reported that the master avionics switch was turned on. He reported that as the ground crewman pulled the propeller through, he heard the engine kick over. The pilot shut down the master switch and exited the aircraft. He further reported that all other systems were in the off position. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Scottsdale, Arizona, Flight Standards District Office conducted an examination of the ignition system. He reported that the aircraft is equipped with an electric starter. The inspector reported that the magnetos were grounded and he found no evidence of mechanical malfunction. He further reported that the aircraft had two 100-hour inspections within the past 2 months, at which time the ignition system was checked with no abnormalities noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N43064](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N43064), registered now, S/N F5C-062, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: 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: F5C-062 - Engines: Jacobs R755B 275 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Redrock Biplane Tours - Registered owner: Dakota Territory Tours Aac - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 5, 1998 - Departed: SEZ - Airport: SEZ, Sedona ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,500 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FLG, 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 19980519015369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980519015369A), May 19, 1998: Waco YMF, Sedona, AZ, Minor damage. Ground crewman was struck while pulling prop thru when engine started. Prop had kicked back. Reported mags off. (.4)on may 19, 1998, at 0856 hours mountain… ## Other investigations on N43064 (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX05LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA002), Oct 2, 2004: Classic Waco YMF (N43064), Sedona, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: a loss of engine power due to the fatigue fracture of the number 7 cylinder exhaust rocker arm as a result of a grinding operation during manufacture. 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.