# NTSB MIA97LA062: Waco UPF-7, N29986, Sanibel, FL, January 14, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 14, 1997, 12:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Sanibel, FL
- Coordinates: 26.439271, -82.099113 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.4393&lon=-82.0991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38203
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38203/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA062

## Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power (rough running engine) for undetermined reason.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot stated he was in cruise flight at about 1,000 feet, when the engine began to run rough. He turned the carburetor heat on, and switched the fuel tanks with negative results. A forced landing was made to the beach. On landing rollout the airplane swerved to the left, and nosed over inverted into the ocean. Results of the engine assembly and accessories examination were inconclusive.

## Factual narrative

On January 14, 1997, about 1240 eastern standard time, a Waco UPF-7, N29986, registered to Barnstormer Air Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 sightseeing flight, experienced a reported loss of  engine rpm during cruise flight. The pilot made a forced landing to the beach in the vicinity of Sanibel, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions  prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Fort Myers, Florida, about 25 minutes before the accident.

The pilot stated that he was in cruise flight at about 1,000 feet, when the engine began to run rough. He turned the carburetor heat on and switched the fuel tanks with negative results. He made a forced landing downwind due to personnel on the beach. On landing rollout the airplane swerved to the left, nosed over into the water, and came to rest inverted.

Examination of the engine assembly and accessories was conducted by the FAA. The results of the examination were inconclusive .

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29986](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N29986), registered now, S/N 5483 (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: 5483
- Airframe hours: 2404
- Engines: Continental W-670 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Barnstormer Air Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 1996, 98 hours before
- Departed: FMY, FORT MYERS, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,873 total, 1,016 in this make and model, 3,821 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 11 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 19970114000449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970114000449A), Jan 14, 1997: Waco UPF7, Sanibel, FL, Substantial damage. Lost RPM at cruise. Engine rough. Landed downwind on a beach. Swerved avoid people. Nosed over in surf.

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.