# NTSB WPR15CA074: Waco Classic YMF F5C, N171L, San Luis Obispo, CA, January 3, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 3, 2015, 13:51 local (21:51 UTC)
- Place: San Luis Obispo, CA
- Coordinates: 35.23722, -120.64083 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2372&lon=-120.6408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90560
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15CA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90560/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90560
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15CA074

## Probable cause

The accidental application of the brakes by the passenger during landing roll which resulted in the airplane nosing over.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: unnecessary action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Passenger (probable cause); cases with it: [Waco Classic YMF-F5C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/cases.md?model=9600425), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/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: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Waco Classic YMF-F5C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=9600425), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while rolling out about 30 to 40 mph in the tailwheel equipped airplane for the full stop landing, the airplane made a sudden stop and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage and tail section during the landing sequence. The passenger reported in a written statement that he accidentally applied the brakes during the landing roll. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while rolling out about 30 to 40 mph in the tailwheel equipped airplane for the full stop landing, the airplane made a sudden stop and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage and tail section during the landing sequence. The passenger reported in a written statement that he accidentally applied the brakes during the landing roll. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N171L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N171L), registered now, S/N F5C-8-134, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WACO CLASSIC AIRCRAFT YMF F5C (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Waco Classic YMF-F5C](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-classic-ymf-f5c) (registry code 9600425) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jacobs R-755A2M](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r-755a2m) (registry code 35020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: F5C-8-134
- Year built: 2013
- Airframe hours: 174
- Engines: JACOBS R-755A2M 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: OXR, OXNARD, CA
- Destination: SBP, San Luis Obispo, CA
- Airport: SBP, San Luis County Rgnl, runway 11, 6,100 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Heads up display, Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 82; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 4,084 total, 1,462 in this make and model, 3,730 as pilot in command, 60.7 in the last 90 days, 38.2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: KSBP

## 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 20150103005989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150103005989A), Jan 3, 2015: Waco Classic Aircraft YMF-F5C, San Luis Obispo, CA, Substantial damage. Landing runway 29, pilot stated he had a left quartering tail wind. Made a normal wheel landing. Landed normally and at the end of roll out, speed approx 30-40…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 13, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90560. 5.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40422577&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Inspector and Passenger Statements (item 2, .PDF, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40422578&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20and%20Passenger%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 – View of Main Wreckage From Front (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40422579&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%20From%20Front%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 – View of the Main Wreckage From Left Side (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40422580&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20the%20Main%20Wreckage%20From%20Left%20Side%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.

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