Waco YMF-5 N89B

Summary

On 31 March 1990 at about 18:45 local time, a Waco YMF-5 registered N89B, operated by Marathon Fuel Farm, was involved in an accident near Marathon, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 March 1990 at 18:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Marathon, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Marathon (MTH)

Coordinates

24.7097, -81.0803

Aircraft

Waco YMF-5

Registration

N89B

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Marathon Fuel Farm

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA90LA098

1 person had minor injuries.

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE CROSSWIND, THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITION, AND HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRCRAFT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE APPLIED FULL LEFT AILERON FOR TAKEOFF IN A SLIGHT LEFT CROSSWIND. AS THE TAIL ROSE DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT APPLIED RIGHT RUDDER, BUT THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE RUNWAY IN THE DIRECTION OF PARKED AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT REDUCED THE THROTTLE SETTING TO IDLE, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. THE PILOT HAD ONLY ABOUT 5 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME IN THIS TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED AIRCRAFT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.