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NTSB Report

August 3, 1998 · Waco UPF-7 · N29927

Key West, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 3, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Key West, FL
Aircraft
Waco UPF-7
Tail Number
N29927
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA98LA217

The pilot was approaching for a banner drop, the power was at a low power setting. The pilot released the banner, at an altitude of about 75 feet, applied full power, and received no response from the engine. He then pumped the throttle and again no response. He made a right turn in an attempt to land on runway 9. The airplane stalled, spun in, and impacted the runway nose down. The pilot state that 'he did not apply carburetor heat.' No discrepancies were found with the engine or airframe.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons, resulting in an inadvertent stall at too low an altitude to allow recovery.

Full Narrative

On August 3, 1998, about 1156 eastern daylight time, a Waco UPF-7, N29927, registered to M and F Flying Inc, crashed near Key West, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 banner towing flight. Visual meteorological conditions were reported and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed. The airline transport-rated pilot reported minor injuries. The flight had originated from Key West International Airport, Florida, at 1125. According, to the pilot he departed Key West International Airport, Florida, for a routine banner tow. The pilot stated "he was coming in for the banner drop with the power set at around 1600 RPM for the descent. He descended to around 75 feet and when he passed over the banner site he released the banner." The pilot applied full throttle in an attempt to gain airspeed and altitude for the climb out, but the engine did not respond to throttle input. The pilot then stated that he pumped the throttle, but still got no response. According to the pilot, "he decided to start a right turn to try to land on runway 9...and he was two thirds of the way through the turn when the right wing dropped and the aircraft nosed into the runway from an altitude of about 30 feet." According to FAA inspector, "the pilot made a tight right turn to try to land on runway 9,stalled the airplane, spun in, and impacted on the runway about 500 feet from the west end, nose down, and on a heading of about 130 degrees. Upon impact on the runway the airplane caught fire." The pilot stated to FAA inspectors that "he did not apply any carburetor heat on his approach nor when the engine did not respond." Another company pilot stated that "he had flown the aircraft the day before and it was operating normally." Examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any discrepancies or malfunctions during preflight or postcrash.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:56 EDT
Nearest AirportKey West International (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length4800 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionUnknown

Aircraft

AircraftWaco UPF-7
Tail NumberN29927
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · W-670 · Reciprocating · 220
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 3300 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data