# NTSB WPR13CA172: Waco YMF-3, N14080, Thermal, CA, March 30, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 30, 2013, 12:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Thermal, CA - Coordinates: 33.539443, -116.155555 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5394&lon=-116.1556&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86548 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA172 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86548/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86548 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA172 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in a gusting crosswind. ## 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 YMF-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9600412), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 YMF-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9600412), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Waco YMF-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=9600412), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Waco YMF-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=9600412), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Waco YMF-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=9600412), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Waco YMF-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9600412), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that before landing, the weather reporting system indicated a light and variable wind. While on final approach, the pilot noted that a left crosswind was present. The tailwheel-equipped airplane was about 2 to 3 feet above the runway, then it dropped abruptly onto the runway and bounced. The airplane settled back onto the runway, and the pilot noted that he was able to maintain directional control as the airplane slowed down; however, shortly after, the airplane suddenly veered sharply to the right. Despite the pilot's control inputs, the airplane continued to veer to the right and exited the runway surface into soft sand. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the left lower wing struck the ground, which resulted in structural damage to the wing spar. The pilot added that shortly after the accident, the wind was from the southeast about 15 knots and gusting. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that prior to landing, the weather reporting system indicated a light and variable wind. While on final approach, the pilot noted that a left crosswind was present. As the tailwheel-equipped airplane was about 2 to 3 feet above the runway, it dropped abruptly onto the runway and bounced. The airplane settled back onto the runway and the pilot noted that he was able to maintain directional control as the airplane slowed down; however, shortly after, the airplane suddenly veered sharply to the right. Despite the pilot's control inputs, the airplane continued to veer to the right and exited the runway surface into soft sand. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the left lower wing struck the ground, which resulted in structural damage to the wing spar. The pilot added that shortly after the accident, the wind was from the southeast at about 15 knots and gusting. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N14080](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N14080), registered now, S/N 4209, built 1934 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WACO YMF-3 - Registry model: [Waco YMF-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-ymf-3) (registry code 9600412) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jacobs L4 /R755-7](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-l4-r755-7) (registry code 35003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4209 - Airframe hours: 1642 - Engines: Jacobs R755-B2 275 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert J. Juranich - Registered owner: Robert J. Juranich - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 29, 2013 - Departed: UDD, Bermuda Dunes, CA - Destination: TRM, Thermal, CA - Airport: TRM, Jacqueline Cockran Regional, runway 35, 8,500 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 21, 2012; seat: rear; flight hours: 5,000 total, 230 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 3 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KTRM, 1 nm away ## 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 20130330005709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130330005709A), Mar 30, 2013: Waco YMF-3, Thermal, CA, Substantial damage. Localized windshear resulted in a directional shift and sudden loss of airspeed at the moment of touchdown during a full stall landing. The magnitude of the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 23, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86548. 477 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 384 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390841&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Fire Batalian Chief-On Scene Photo (item 2, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390867&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fire%20Batalian%20Chief-On%20Scene%20Photo-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.