Waco Classic YMF N56ED

Summary

On 19 May 2016 at about 23:30 local time, a Waco Classic YMF registered N56ED was involved in an accident near West Des Moines, Iowa, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 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

19 May 2016 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

West Des Moines, Iowa, United States

Coordinates

41.5261, -93.7411

Aircraft

Waco Classic YMF

Registration

N56ED

Category

Airplane

Year built

1998

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Des Moines → Des Moines

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN16LA196

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's mismanagement of the airplane's fuel supply, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While approaching the airport for landing at the conclusion of a local flight, the airplane's engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot selected a field as a forced landing site, but noted a "ravine" in the middle of the field. Although the pilot attempted to "bounce" the airplane over the ravine during the landing, the airplane impacted the ravine wall and was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane, and that the loss of engine power was due to fuel starvation, because he forgot to open the left fuel tank shut-off valve.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.