# NTSB NYC03LA077: Waco YOC, N15244, Allentown, PA, April 4, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 2003, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Allentown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.65139, -75.4375
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6514&lon=-75.4375&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 56751
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56751/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA077

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing which resulted in a ground loop.  A factor in the accident was the crosswind.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot was landing on runway 6, a 7,600 foot long, 150 foot wide, asphalt runway.  He said there was a crosswind from 100 degrees at 20 to 25 knots.  After touchdown, a gust of wind caught the right wing and the tail wheeled airplane ground looped, which resulted in damage to the left lower wing.  The pilot did not report any mechanical difficulties with the airplane.  Winds reported at the airport about 10 minutes before the accident were from 110 degrees at 12 knots

## Factual narrative

On April 4, 2003, about 1800 eastern standard time, a Waco YOC, N15244, was substantially damaged during a ground loop while landing at the Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), Allentown, Pennsylvania.  The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were not injured.  Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed Salisbury, Maryland, about 1600.  The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, when he returned to land at ABE, he landed on runway 6, a 7,600 foot long, 150 foot wide, asphalt runway.  He said there was a cross wind from 100 degrees at 20 to 25 knots.  After touchdown, a gust of wind caught the right wing and the tail wheeled airplane ground looped, which resulted in damage to the left lower wing.  The pilot did not report any mechanical difficulties with the airplane.  Winds reported at 1751, at Allentown, were from 110 degrees at 12 knots

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15244](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N15244), registered now, S/N 4327, built 1935 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Waco YOC
- Registry model: [Waco YOC](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-yoc) (registry code 9600622) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jacobs L4 /R755-7](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-l4-r755-7) (registry code 35003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4327
- Engines: Jacobs 755B-2 275 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nancy G. Jaeger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 2002, 57 hours before
- Departed: SBY, Salisbury, MD
- Destination: ABE, Allentown, PA
- Airport: ABE, Lehigh Valley International, runway 6, 7,600 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 80; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,317 total, 500 in this make and model, 7,317 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: ABE

## 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 20030404017449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030404017449A), Apr 4, 2003: Waco YOC, Allentown, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) On landing rollout at about 30 mph, a gust of wind lifted the right wing, causing the left bottom wing to hit the runway, resulting in a ground loop.

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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