Waco YMF-5C accident near Bar Harbor, Maine, June 22, 2019
On June 22, 2019 at about 2:30 pm local time, a 1997 Waco YMF-5C, registered N63WC, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Bar Harbor, Maine. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to a cylinder failure for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 22, 2019 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Bar Harbor, Maine · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Waco YMF-5C NO SERIES, built 1997
- Registration
- N63WC · no longer on the register · serial F5C-077
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
About 15 minutes into the air tour flight, the pilot heard a loud “crack/bang” from the front of the airplane, followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot performed a forced landing to wet, marshy terrain, during which the left wing impacted a tree and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the wings. One of the radial engine’s cylinders was fractured at the barrel head joint, which resulted in the loss of engine power. The airplane was operated without engine cowling installed. According to the airplane’s owner, the cowling assists with engine cooling in vintage radial engines. The airplane was not examined after the accident and the reason for the cylinder failure was not determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Failure
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Wet/muddy terrain › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 357.6 hours in all; 81.6 in this make and model; 307.8 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 7, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jacobs R755A2 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KBHB Trenton ME at 2:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.65 inHg
- Observation at 9:56 am from KBHB, 8 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KBHB 221356Z AUTO 01008KT 10SM CLR 20/12 A2965 RMK AO2 SLP045 T02000117 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on February 25, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NTSB Form 6120 Pilot Operator Report CEN19LA204 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statement CEN19LA204 | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Passenger Ford Statement CEN19LA204 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Passenger Mclean Statement CEN19LA204 | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Memorandum for the Record Reported Engine Examination Findings CEN19LA204 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photo Array CEN19LA204 | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.