# NTSB NYC88LA190: Waco UPF-7, N20973, Greenland, NH, July 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1988, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Greenland, NH
- Location: 43.0362° N, 70.8328° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Greenland, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0362&lon=-70.8328&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36189
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36189/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA190

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE INTENTION OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO GIVE PEOPLE AT AN ANNUAL COMPANY PICNIC A RIDE IN THE AIRCRAFT. AFTER TAKEOFF AND WHILE STARTING A LEFT TURN THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED A 'SUDDEN WINDSHEAR/DOWNDRAFT.' THE AIRCRAFT NEVER GOT ABOVE 200 FEET AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE DURING THE RECOVERY. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT THE WINDS WERE GUSTING TO 25 KNOTS AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT GOT INTO A 'STALL CONDITION DURING THE TURN TO DOWNWIND'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20973](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20973), registered now, S/N 5319 (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: 5319
- Airframe hours: 3271
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W-670 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Al & Audrey Speckman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 9, 1987, 71 hours before
- Departed: GREENLAND, NH
- Airport: Sanderson Field, runway 9, 2,700 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 6,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °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 19880721027229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880721027229A), Jul 21, 1988: Waco UPF7, Greenland, NH, Substantial damage. Stalled aircraft during takeoff from Private strip in gusty winds.

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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