# NTSB NYC91LA217: Waco YMF-5, N44JS, Jamestown, RI, August 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1991, 18:55 local (22:55 UTC)
- Place: Jamestown, RI
- Location: 41.4970° N, 71.3673° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Jamestown, RI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4970&lon=-71.3673&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36995
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36995/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA217

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT, RESULTING IN CARBURETOR ICE FORMATION AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND A FORCED LANDING IN TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID, 'I SET UP...A GLIDE.  THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH...WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING WITH POWER AGAIN, I WAS TOO LOW.'  THE PILOT DID NOT USE THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL.  THE TEMPERATURE WAS 82 DEG., AND THE DEW POINT WAS 71 DEG. THESE CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE TO THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICING, ACCORDING TO THE FAA CHART ICING PROBABILITY CHART.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N44JS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: WACO YMF-5
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 00016
- Engines: JACOBS 755 275 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jeffrey Starr
- Registered owner: Jeffrey Starr
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: OQU, N. KINGSTON, RI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 838 total, 335 in this make and model, 774 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 215° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °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 19910828037219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910828037219A), Aug 28, 1991: Waco YMF, Jamestown, RI, Substantial damage. Rough engine began off airport landing. Engine caught but was too low. Conditions good for carb ice. No anomalies.

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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