Waco YMF-3 N14080

Summary

On 30 March 2013 at about 19:10 local time, a Waco YMF-3 registered N14080, operated by Robert J. Juranich, was involved in an accident near Thermal, California, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 March 2013 at 19:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Thermal, California, United States

Nearest airport

Jacqueline Cockran Regional (TRM)

Coordinates

33.5394, -116.1556

Aircraft

Waco YMF-3

Registration

N14080

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Robert J. Juranich

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bermuda Dunes → Thermal

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR13CA172

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in a gusting crosswind.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.