# NTSB NYC04CA190: Classic Waco YMF, N723SR, Bar Harbor, ME, August 9, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 9, 2004, 11:40 local (15:40 UTC) - Place: Bar Harbor, ME - Coordinates: 44.449722, -68.361389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4497&lon=-68.3614&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 59859 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04CA190 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59859/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA190 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor 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 - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis During the approach to runway 22, the pilot monitored the windsock and automated weather observation system (AWOS). The windsock indicated a right-quartering headwind, and the AWOS reported wind from 220 degrees to 310 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 16 knots. During the landing roll, with all three wheels on the ground, the airplane experienced a rear-quartering tailwind. The airplane began to veer left, and the pilot depressed the right brake in an effort to correct for the wind. The airplane subsequently nosed-over, and came to rest inverted in a grass area off the left side of the runway. The reported wind about the time of the accident, was from 300 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 16 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 9, 2004, about 1140 eastern daylight time, a Classic Aircraft Corporation Waco YMF, N723SR, was substantially damaged while landing at Hancock County - Bar Harbor Airport (BHB), Bar Harbor, Maine. The certificated commercial pilot was seriously injured, and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local commercial sightseeing flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he departed in the tailwheel airplane from runway 22, a 5,200-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway. During the takeoff the pilot noted that the windsock and automated weather observation system (AWOS) indicated a right-quartering headwind at 9 knots. After a 40-minute flight, the pilot returned to land on runway 22, and again noted the windsock indicated a right-quartering headwind. In addition, the AWOS reported the wind from 220 degrees to 310 degrees, at 10 knots, gusting to 16 knots. During the landing roll, with all three wheels on the ground, the airplane experienced a strong rear-quartering tailwind. The airplane began to veer left, and the pilot depressed the right brake in an effort to correct for the wind. The airplane subsequently nosed-over, and came to rest inverted in a grass area off the left side of the runway. The reported wind at BHB, at 1135, was from 300 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 16 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N723SR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N723SR), registered now, S/N F5C-070, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Classic Aircraft Corp. Waco YMF - 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: F5C070 - Engines: Jacobs R-755B 275 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Biokabe Rides Over Atlanta Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Departed: BHB, Bar Harbor, ME - Destination: BHB - Airport: BHB, Hancock County - Bar Harbor, runway 22, 5,200 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 3,560 total, 300 in this make and model, 3,560 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 9 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F ## 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 20040809018759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040809018759A), Aug 9, 2004: Amtr WACOYMF, Bar Harbor, ME, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported that upon touchdown, a quartering gust of wind from the rear lifted the tail and flipped the aircraft over. Inspection of the aircraft… ## Other investigations on N723SR (2) 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 ATL98LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA101), Aug 6, 1998: Waco WMF (N723SR), Chamblee, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive taxi speed and excessive braking action that resulted in a nose over. - [NTSB ATL97LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA017), Oct 24, 1996: Waco YMF5 (N723SR), Punta Gorda, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper flare during touchdown. 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.