# NTSB NYC91LA007: Waco UPF-7, N32091, Erwinna, PA, October 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 9, 1990, 12:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Erwinna, PA
- Coordinates: 40.489948, -75.079864 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4899&lon=-75.0799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36820
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36820/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA007

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKE OFF ROLL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vlof) - not obtained, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF ON RUNWAY 25. THE RUNWAY SLOPES TO THE LEFT. THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO DRIFT LEFT DURING THE GROUND ROLL AND HIT A FENCE AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED OVER ON ITS BACK AND CAME TO REST IN A FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32091](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N32091), registered now, S/N 5723, built 1947 (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: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5723
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W-670-6A 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Country Aviation
- Departed: 9N1, ERWINNA, PA
- Airport: 9N1, Van Sant, runway 25, 3,000 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,000 total, 10 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F

## Other investigations on N32091 (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 NYC96LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA114), May 25, 1996: Waco UPF-7 (N32091), East Canton, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent collision with obstacles. The gusty…

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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