# NTSB NYC02LA141: Waco UPF-7, N29988, Dayton, OH, July 17, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 2002, 15:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Dayton, OH
- Coordinates: 39.683334, -84.245834
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6833&lon=-84.2458&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 55239
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55239/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55239
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA141

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

The inadequate visual lookout by the pilot of the Kitfox.  Factors related to the accident were the non-radio equipped Waco, and the hazy visual conditions.

## Sequence of events

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

- Collision between aircraft (other than midair), landing - roll
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - comm/nav equipment,transceiver - not installed (contributing factor)
  - landing light(s) - not installed
- Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - from landing
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

After landing on the grass area adjacent to the paved runway, the Kitfox pilot taxied his airplane eastbound, where he "looked down the runway," observing that there was no traffic on the runway or on final approach.  The pilot then announced on the common traffic advisory frequency that he was going to "back taxi" on the active runway.  As the KitFox entered onto the runway, it was struck by another airplane, which was on rollout from landing.  The landing airplane was not equipped with a communications radio or a landing light.  The airport traffic area was uncontrolled.  The weather reported at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident, included visibility of 6 miles and haze.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

On July 17, 2002, about 1525 eastern daylight time, a Waco UPF-7, N29988, was substantially damaged when it collided with another airplane, while landing at the Moraine Airpark, Dayton, Ohio.  The other airplane, a homebuilt KitFox IV, N430DC, was also substantially damaged.  The Pilot and two passengers of the Waco received minor injuries, while the pilot of the KitFox was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plans were filed for either airplane, which were operated under 14 CFR Part 91 on local flights.

According to the pilot of the KitFox, he had landed on the grass area adjacent to runway 26, a 3,500-foot-long, 65-foot-wide, asphalt runway.  The KitFox was taxied eastbound on the grass, where the pilot "looked down the runway," observing that there was no traffic on the runway or on final approach.  He then announced on the common traffic advisory frequency that he was going to "back taxi" on the active runway.  As the KitFox entered onto runway 26, it was struck by the Waco, which was on rollout from landing.

The pilot of the Waco stated that, during his approach to the airport, he observed the Kitfox in the grass area adjacent to the left side of the runway.  The next time he observed the Kitfox, it was on the runway, with no time to take evasive action.

According to the Waco pilot, the Waco was not equipped with a communications radio, or a landing light.

Moraine Airpark was an uncontrolled airport.

The weather reported at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident, included winds from 220 degrees at 8 knots, and a visibility of 6 miles and haze.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N29988](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N29988), registered now, S/N 5485, built 1940 (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: 5485
- Airframe hours: 8981
- Engines: Continental R670 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harold Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 14, 2001, 54 hours before
- Departed: I73, Dayton, OH
- Destination: I73
- Airport: I73, Moraine Airpark, runway 26, 3,500 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: N430DC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Clark KitFox IV
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1739
- Airframe hours: 77
- Engines: NSI EA-81 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David A. Clark
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 31, 2001, 18 hours before
- Departed: I73, Dayton, OH
- Destination: I73
- Airport: I73, Moraine Airpark, runway 26, 3,500 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N29988; age 53; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 13, 2002; seat: rear; flight hours: 10,000 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days
- Pilot, aircraft N430DC; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 24, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 629 total, 75 in this make and model, 564 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: DAY, 12 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20020717037951A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020717037951A), Jul 17, 2002: Waco UPF7, Dayton, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot of Kitfox entered runway intending to back taxi for take off. He announced intentions on CTAF and failed to see the Waco on landing roll. Collision…
- [Accident 20020717037952A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020717037952A), Jul 17, 2002: Amtr KITFOXIV, Dayton, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot of Kitfox entered runway intending to back taxi for take off. He announced intentions on CTAF and failed to see the waco on landing roll. Collision…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 7, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55239. 621 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (WACO) (item 1, .PDF, 256 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463337&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(WACO)-Master.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (KITFOX) (item 2, .PDF, 265 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463338&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(KITFOX)-Master.PDF
- Pilot Statement (WACO) (item 3, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463339&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20(WACO)-Master.PDF
- Pilot Statement (KITFOX) (item 4, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463340&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20(KITFOX)-Master.PDF

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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