# NTSB NYC89LA180: Waco UPF-7, N39752, Plymouth, NH, August 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1989, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Plymouth, NH
- Location: 43.0374° N, 71.4699° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at EVANS (NH12), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0374&lon=-71.4699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36450
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36450/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA180

## Probable cause

LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING AN ABORTED TAKEOFF. THE DITCH WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

THE PILOT PERFORMED A PREFLIGHT AND A THOROUGH INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. DURING TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT ACCELERATED NORMALLY, BUT THE PILOT STATED THAT IT FELT SLUGGISH AFTER LIFT OFF, SO HE IMMEDIATELY CUT THE POWER AND ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A DRAINAGE DITCH AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39752](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N39752), registered now, S/N 5885, built 1942 (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: [Jacobs R-755A2M](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r-755a2m) (registry code 35020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5885
- Airframe hours: 2085
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W-670-64 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Pegasus Air,Inc.
- Registered owner: Pegasus Air, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1989, 70 hours before
- Airport: NH12, Plymouth, runway 30, 2,340 × 120 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,667 total, 45 in this make and model, 1,550 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890802026699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890802026699A), Aug 2, 1989: Waco UPF7, Plymouth, NH, Substantial damage. Airplane felt sluggish after liftoff. Aborted. Veered into a ditch and nosed over.

## Other investigations on N39752 (1)

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 MIA89LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA112), Mar 21, 1989: Waco UPF-7 (N39752), Marathon, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND INADVERTENTLY ALLOWED IT TO GROUND LOOP. CROSSWIND WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

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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