# NTSB MIA89IA080: Waco UPF-7, N39721, Marathon, FL, February 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · Minor injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1989, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Marathon, FL
- Coordinates: 24.710437, -81.080207 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.7104&lon=-81.0802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32326
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89IA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32326/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89IA080

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO A CORRODED CARBURETOR.

## Analysis

WHILE ON A SIGHTSEEING FLT DURING NORMAL CRUISE, THE PLT REPORTED THE ENG QUIT. HE DITCHED THE ACFT IN THE OCEAN. MONTHS LATER, AFTER THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED, A CURSORY EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. EXAMINATION OF THE CARBURETOR BOWL AND FUEL STRAINER REVEALED CORROSION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - contamination (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - corroded (cause)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39721](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N39721), registered now, S/N 5854, built 1942 (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: 5854
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W-670-K 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Wold, Stuart G
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MTH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 8,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EYW, 32 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).

- [Incident 19890206001779I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890206001779I), Feb 6, 1989: Waco UPF7, Marathon, FL, Minor damage. Engine failed on sightseeing flight, ditched in ocean. Believed fuel starvation due to contaminates and corrosion.

## Other investigations on N39721 (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA23LA345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA345), Aug 20, 2023: Waco UPF-7 (N39721), Warrenton, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A ground loop during landing resulting from a partial separation of the right main landing gear strut during takeoff.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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