# NTSB MIA91LA147: Waco UPF-7, N32133, Key West, FL, May 15, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1991, 19:48 local (23:48 UTC)
- Place: Key West, FL
- Coordinates: 24.550138, -81.780532 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.5501&lon=-81.7805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32872
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32872/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA147

## Probable cause

A MOMENTARY LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Main gear collapsed, other

## Analysis

AFTER DROPPING OFF A BANNER THE PLT ADVANCED THE THROTTLE TO CLIMB BUT STATED THAT THE ENG DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE INPUT. WHILE DESCENDING THE ENG RESPONDED BUT NOT BEFORE THE RT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLIDED WITH A DITCH CAUSING THE GEAR TO COLLAPSE.  THE RT WING TIP THEN CONTACTED THE GROUND & THE ACFT CAME TO REST HEADING 180 DEGREES FROM THE INITIAL FLT PATH.  NO DETERMINATION COULD BE MADE AS TO THE FAILURE OF THE ENG TO IMMEDIATELY RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE INPUT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32133](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N32133), registered now, S/N 5765, built 1941 (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: 5765
- Airframe hours: 5590
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W670-6N 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: M & F Flying, Inc.
- Registered owner: M & F Flying, Inc.
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 25, 1990, 47 hours before
- Airport: EYW, Key West Int'L

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,570 total, 290 in this make and model, 3,620 as pilot in command, 176 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EYW, 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 19910515016289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910515016289A), May 15, 1991: Waco UPF7, Key West, FL, Substantial damage. Engine momentarily failed to respond on go around after dropping banner. Landed and rolled into ditch.

## Other investigations on N32133 (5)

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 NYC00LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA180), Jul 2, 2000: Waco UPF-7 (N32133), Bally, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after an aborted takeoff.
- [NTSB MIA90IA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90IA036), Nov 26, 1989: Waco UPF-7 (N32133), Key West, FL, incident, no damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY WATCH FOR PARKED AIRCRAFT AFTER BECOMING DISTRACTED.
- [NTSB MIA89LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA245), Sep 10, 1989: Waco UPF-7 (N32133), Key West, FL, minor damage. Probable cause: INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE WACO PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS MISJUDGEMENT OF CLEARANCE BETWEEN HIS AIRCRAFT AND THE CESSNA 172 AND A SUBSEQUENT COLLISION.
- [NTSB MIA88LA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA216), Jul 6, 1988: Waco UPF-7 (N32133), Key West, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI67F0272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67F0272), Oct 9, 1966: Waco UPF-7 (N32133), Midland, MI, 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.

---
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.