# NTSB NYC91LA176: Waco UPF-7, N32126, Stebensville, PA, July 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1991, 09:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Stebensville, PA
- Coordinates: 41.790767, -76.180549 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7908&lon=-76.1805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36960
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36960/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA176

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE, HIS IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO FLARE THE AIRPLANE DURING THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - grass

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. HE UNDERSHOT THE DESIRED TOUCHDOWN POINT AND THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED DURING A HARD LANDING.  POST-CRASH EXAMINATION FOUND THE FUEL SYSTEM INTACT WITH ONE TANK DRY AND THE OTHER WITH 3/4 OF AN INCH OF FUEL.  THE AIRPLANE HELD 50 GALLONS WITH 47 GALLONS USABLE. THE PILOT HAD FLOWN APPROXIMATELY 3 HOURS 33 MINUTES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND THIS INCLUDED THREE TAKEOFFS. THE FAA REPORTED THE AIRPLANE CONSUMED APPROXIMTELY 15 GALLONS PER HOUR WHILE THE PILOT SAID HE BASED HIS CALCULATIONS ON 12 GALLONS PER HOUR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32126](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N32126), registered now, S/N 5758, built 1941 (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: 5758
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W-670-K 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Kriss Alan Kliegle
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 5N5, KIRKWOOD, NY
- Destination: N27, TOWANDA, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,100 total, 25 in this make and model, 3,400 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910709026619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910709026619A), Jul 9, 1991: Waco UPF7, Stevensville, PA, Substantial damage. Forced landing due fuel exhaustion. Undershot field. Landed hard. Folded landing gear. Misjudged fuel burn or refuel

## Other investigations on N32126 (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 NYC88LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA179), Jul 9, 1988: Waco UPF-7 (N32126), Plymouth, NH, substantial damage

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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