# NTSB WPR13CA146: Waco UPF-7, N29969, Paso Robles, CA, March 11, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 11, 2013, 13:38 local (20:38 UTC) - Place: Paso Robles, CA - Coordinates: 35.672779, -120.626945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6728&lon=-120.6269&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 24, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 86401 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86401/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86401 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA146 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for crosswind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Waco UPF-7, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9601302), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Waco UPF-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=9601302), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Waco UPF-7, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9601302), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Waco UPF-7, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9601302), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Waco UPF-7, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9601302), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing roll in light and variable wind, a “puff” of wind from the east caused the tail, which was on the runway, to swing around. The pilot added power in an attempt to regain directional control; however, he did not apply power soon enough. The right wing touched the runway, and the airplane impacted a taxiway intersection sign. The airplane's wing spars were structurally damaged, and the upper right wing tip was crushed. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was performing touch-and-go landings in light and variable wind at 5 knots. During a landing roll, with the tail wheel on the runway, a puff of wind from the east caused the tail to swing around. The pilot added power in an attempt to regain directional control, when the right wing touched the runway and the airplane impacted a taxiway intersection sign. The airplane's wing spars were structurally damaged and the upper right wing tip was crushed. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N29969](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N29969), registered now, S/N 5466 (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: 5466 - Airframe hours: 4023 - Engines: CONT MOTOR W670 SERIES 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Stewart Edwards - Registered owner: Stewart Edwards - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 2012 - Departed: KPRB, Paso Robles, CA - Destination: KPRB, Paso Robles, CA - Airport: KPRB, Paso Robles Municipal Airport, runway 19, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 11, 2011; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,986 total, 26 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KPRB ## 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 20130311003099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130311003099A), Mar 11, 2013: Waco UPF-7, Paso Robles, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot was doing pattern flying at Paso Robles airport lost control and ground looped on landing on runway 9. He ran off to the right side of the runway,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 15, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86401. 953 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 880 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389490&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Front view of the airplane (item 2, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389491&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Front%20view%20of%20the%20airplane-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.