# NTSB MIA89LA076: Waco YMF, N99Y, Key West, FL, February 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1989, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Key West, FL
- Coordinates: 24.550809, -81.780517 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.5508&lon=-81.7805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32392
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32392/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA076

## Probable cause

THE INABILITY OF THE PLT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AFTER ENCOUNTERING HIS OWN WAKE TURBULENCE AT A LOW ALTITUDE DURING A STEEP TURNING MANEUVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - wake turbulence - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THEY HAD JUST PASSED OVER A SCHOOL OF DOLPHIN WHILE ON A SIGHTSEEING FLT OVER WATER AT ABOUT 100 FT. HE REVERSED COURSE TO THE LEFT IN ORDER TO RETURN TO THE FISH & WHILE IN THE TURN THE ACFT ROLLED ABRUPTLY TO THE LEFT. ACFT ROLLED INTO A VERT BANK & THE ACFT HIT THE WATER INVERTED & SANK IN ABOUT 12 FT OF WATER. THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD OBSERVED A C-130 TYPE ACFT FLYING IN THE AREA AT APPROX 800 FT JUST BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE & HIS WIFE RECALLED HE HAD BEEN MAKING A LOW STEEP BANK OVER THE WATER AND HE RECALLED GRAVITY FORCES PRESSING THEM DOWN INTO THE SEAT DURING THE TURN. THEY HAD COMPLETED THE 1ST STEEP TURN AND WERE IN THE 2ND BANK OF ABOUT 90 DEGS WHEN A 'GUST' WAS FELT & THE NEXT THING THEY KNEW, THEY HIT THE WATER UPSIDE DOWN. NEITHER PAX RECALLED SEEING ANY OTHER ACFT IN THE AREA. ONE PAX STATED THAT HE HAD SOME PREVIOUS FLT TIME INCLUDING SOLO.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N99Y), registered now, S/N F5-002, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WACO YMF
- Registry model: [Waco YMF](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-ymf) (registry code 9600411) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jacobs R755B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755b-series) (registry code 35007, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: F-5-002
- Airframe hours: 1402
- Engines: JACOBS R-755-B2M 275 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Conch Classic Air Tours
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 2, 1989, 1 hours before
- Departed: FYW, KEY WEST, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 11,500 total, 500 in this make and model, 11,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EYW, 15 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 19890203002519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890203002519A), Feb 3, 1989: Waco YMF, Key West, FL, Substantial damage. During tight low altitude turns, over water to spot fish, lost control hit water inverted.

## Other investigations on N99Y (3)

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 GAA16CA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA089), Dec 25, 2015: Waco YMF (N99Y), Fullerton, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
- [NTSB MIA88LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA220), Jul 13, 1988: Classic YMF-5 (N99Y), Key West, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA87LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA007), Oct 15, 1986: Waco YMF (N99Y), Key West, FL, substantial damage

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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