# NTSB MIA90IA020: Classic YMF-5, N89B, Marathon, FL, October 31, 1989

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1989, 04:30 local (09:30 UTC)
- Place: Marathon, FL
- Coordinates: 24.710435, -81.079559 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.7104&lon=-81.0796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32572
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90IA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32572/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90IA020

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INCORRECT ELEVATOR CONTROL WHILE TAXIING WITH A QUARTERING TAILWIND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE INCIDENT WAS THE TAILWIND CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - elevator - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, taxi - from landing

## Analysis

WHILE TAXIING AT A BRISK WALK WITH A QUARTERING RIGHT TAILWIND, THE TAIL RAISED. THE PILOT APPLIED POWER AND AFT ELEVATOR, THEN THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N89B), registered now, S/N F5-006, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Classic Aircraft Corp. YMF-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: YMF5-006
- Engines: JACOBS R-755-B2 275 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Marathon Aviation
- Registered owner: Marathon Fuel Farm
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Airport: MTH, Marathon

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 5,100 total, 78 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19891031065209I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891031065209I), Oct 31, 1989: Waco YMF, Marathon, FL, Minor damage. While taxiing for takeoff pilot allowed the tail to raise too high. Propeller struck taxiway and nosed up.

## Other investigations on N89B (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 ERA10CA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA076), Nov 16, 2009: Classic Waco YMF (N89B), Dunnellon, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The certified flight instructor’s delayed response to the student pilot's loss of directional control while landing, which resulted in a ground-loop. Contributing to the accident was the student…
- [NTSB NYC06CA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA001), Oct 2, 2005: Waco YMF (N89B), Kensington, NH, substantial damage. Probable cause: An overload fracture of the right main landing gear during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose over.
- [NTSB MIA90LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA098), Mar 31, 1990: Waco YMF-5 (N89B), Marathon, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE CROSSWIND, THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE…

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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