# NTSB MIA04CA034: Waco 4MF 5, N64JE, Marathon, FL, December 17, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 17, 2003, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Marathon, FL - Coordinates: 24.72611, -81.063888 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.7261&lon=-81.0639&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58502 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA04CA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58502/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04CA034 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during landing rollout in a crosswind resulting in the airplane ground looping and incurring damage to the left wing. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot stated he departed from Marathon Airport at about 1620, and performed two full stop landings on runway 25. The winds were from the west-northwest at 15-20 knots. During the third landing while on landing roll, at about 10 mph, the tail wheel started to shimmy and the airplane began to turn into the wind. The airplane then continued around with the left wing tip contacting the runway. The airplane incurred damage to the left aileron and left outboard wing rib. The pilot inspected the airplane and then taxied back to the parking area. The pilot reported he had no mechanical difficulties with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On December 17, 2003, about 1650 eastern standard time, a Waco 4MF-5, N64JE, registered to TN Delaware Air Corp., and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, ground looped during landing rollout on runway 25, at Marathon Airport, Marathon, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and the commercial rated pilot reported no injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Marathon, the same day, at about 1620. The pilot stated he departed from Marathon Airport at about 1620, and performed two full-stop landings on runway 25. The winds were from the west-northwest at 15-20 knots. During the third landing while on landing roll, at about 10 mph, the tail wheel started to shimmy and the airplane began to turn into the wind. The airplane then continued around with the left wing tip contacting the runway. The airplane incurred damage to the left aileron and left outboard wing rib. The pilot inspected the airplane and then taxied back to the parking area. The pilot reported he had no mechanical difficulties with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64JE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64JE-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N F5-022, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Waco 4MF 5 - 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: F50022 - Airframe hours: 1360 - Engines: Jacobs 755B 275 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2003, 24 hours before - Departed: MTH, Marathon, FL - Destination: MTH, Marathon, FL - Airport: MTH, Marathon, runway 25, 5,008 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,565 total, 1,060 in this make and model, 1,380 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 19 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: MTH, 1 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 20031217033429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031217033429A), Dec 17, 2003: Amtr WACOYMF, Marathon, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot, Mr. Paul goodwin stated, that on December 17, 2003, at approximately 1650 local time, he was flying above aircraft around the Marathon airport… ## Other investigations on N64JE (2) 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 ERA12LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA126), Dec 26, 2011: Classic Waco YMF5 (N64JE), Marathon, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot did not ensure that there was sufficient fuel aboard the airplane before initiating the flight, which resulted in temporary fuel starvation and an interruption in engine power during… - [NTSB CHI91LA277](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA277), Aug 29, 1991: Classic YMF5 (N64JE), Hart, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING A TAKEOFF GROUND RUN. 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.