# NTSB MIA90LA098: Waco YMF-5, N89B, Marathon, FL, March 31, 1990 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 31, 1990, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Marathon, FL - Coordinates: 24.709705, -81.080261 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.7097&lon=-81.0803&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 32643 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32643/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA098 ## 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 COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITION, AND HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRCRAFT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose over, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT HE APPLIED FULL LEFT AILERON FOR TAKEOFF IN A SLIGHT LEFT CROSSWIND. AS THE TAIL ROSE DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT APPLIED RIGHT RUDDER, BUT THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE RUNWAY IN THE DIRECTION OF PARKED AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT REDUCED THE THROTTLE SETTING TO IDLE, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. THE PILOT HAD ONLY ABOUT 5 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME IN THIS TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED AIRCRAFT. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N89B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N89B), registered now, S/N F5-006, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WACO 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: F5006 - Airframe hours: 376 - Engines: JACOBS R-755-B2 275 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Marathon Fuel Farm - Registered owner: Marathon Fuel Farm - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 11, 1989, 82 hours before - Departed: MTH - Airport: MTH, Marathon, runway 25, 5,008 × 200 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 330 total, 5 in this make and model, 95 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 8 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: EYW, 26 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 19900331025369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900331025369A), Mar 31, 1990: Waco YMF, Marathon, FL, Substantial damage. Lost directional control as tail came up on takeoff. Veered off runway aborted and nosed over. Unskilled in type. ## 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 MIA90IA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90IA020), Oct 31, 1989: Classic YMF-5 (N89B), Marathon, FL, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INCORRECT ELEVATOR CONTROL WHILE TAXIING WITH A QUARTERING TAILWIND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE INCIDENT WAS THE TAILWIND CONDITION. 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.