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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

November 5, 1999 · Waco KNF · N698N

Midway, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 5, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Midway, AR
Aircraft
Waco KNF
Tail Number
N698N
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW00LA026

The airplane encountered a downdraft while on final approach and contacted trees. According to the pilot, the airplane was at 25 feet agl, crossing a road and trees, at the approach end of runway 18, when he 'felt a rapid sink of the aircraft.' The pilot 'applied full throttle and attempted to lower the nose of the aircraft, but within what seemed like a couple of seconds' the airplane's left wing contacted trees. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground and came to rest upright. The pilot stated that he attributed the loss of altitude to a 'downdraft.' Another pilot, who flew the same approach 5 minutes prior to the accident airplane, reported that his aircraft experienced a 20 mph loss of airspeed while on final approach. That pilot added that he attributed the loss of airspeed to a 'downdraft.'

NTSB Probable Cause

The inability of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane as a result of a downdraft.

Full Narrative

On November 5, 1999, at 1745 central standard time, a Waco KNF biplane, N698N, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain during the final approach to the Promise Land Airpark Airport, Midway, Arkansas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight originated from the Promise Land Airpark Airport at 1730. According to the pilot, he maneuvered the airplane onto the final approach leg for runway 18, a 2,000 foot turf airstrip. He stated that the airplane was at 25 feet agl and overflying a road and trees, located north of the approach end of the runway, when he "felt a rapid sink of the aircraft." The pilot "applied full throttle and attempted to lower the nose of the aircraft, but within what seemed like a couple of seconds" the airplane's left wing contacted a tree. Subsequently, the airplane contacted the ground and came to rest upright. The pilot stated that he attributed the loss of altitude to "wind shear or [a] downdraft." A pilot, who executed an approach and full stop landing on runway 18 approximately 5 minutes prior to the accident airplane, reported that his airplane's airspeed "dropped suddenly from 60mph to 40mph," while crossing trees on final approach. He added that he attributed the loss of airspeed to "an unexpected tailwind or downdraft." The FAA inspector, who examined the airplane at the site, reported that the front wing spars for the upper and lower left wings were structurally damaged. The left elevator was bent, the left main landing gear assembly separated from the airframe, and the engine separated from the airframe.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:45 CST
Nearest AirportPromise Land Airstrip (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWaco KNF
Tail NumberN698N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsKinner · K-5 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind170° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data