The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albany, New York
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Kinderhook Aviation LLC
Location: Ghent, New York
Accident Number: ERA20CA214
Date & Time: June 13, 2020, 09:30 Local
Registration: N323TX
Aircraft: Waco YMF F5C
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped bi-plane was performing practice takeoffs and landings on a 75-foot-wide turf runway following an uneventful local flight. During the fourth takeoff, the airplane accelerated down the runway and after the pilot raised the tailwheel off the ground, the airplane suddenly drifted toward the left side of the runway. The left-wing tip contacted trees and brush near the runway's left edge, and pivoted the airplane left into the trees. Both wings and the fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot also reported that "modest but variable and gusty winds" prevailed at the time of the accident.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
A loss of directional control on takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with trees.
Findings
Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Factual Information
History of Flight
Takeoff Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Takeoff Collision during takeoff/land
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial
Age: 69, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Single-engine sea
Seat Occupied: Rear
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used: 5-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: December 19, 2019
Occupational Pilot: UNK
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: August 17, 2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 1150 hours (Total, all aircraft), 16 hours (Total, this make and model), 960 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 35 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 19 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Passenger Information
Certificate:
Age: Male
Airplane Rating(s):
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Restraint Used: 5-point
Instrument Rating(s):
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s):
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification:
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Waco
Registration: N323TX
Model/Series: YMF F5C No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2011
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: F5C-8-124
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 3
Date/Type of Last Inspection: July 14, 2019 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2950 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 24 Hrs
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 296.7 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Jacobs
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: R755A2M
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 300 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PSF, 1188 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 16 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 09:54 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 73°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 4000 ft AGL
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots / 18 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 270°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.19 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 16°C / 6°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Ghent, NY (NY1)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Ghent, NY (NY1)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 09:00 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: Kline Kill NY1
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 386 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Vegetation
Runway Used: 01
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4000 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 42.347221,-73.635559(est)
It's the daily, tail dragger off the runway accident. Most of these seem to happen during practice landings. Maybe pilots should just wait for calm winds and not try to push it.
ReplyDelete