Waco YKC accident near New Carlisle, Ohio, July 14, 2020
On July 14, 2020 at about 11:30 am local time, a 1934 Waco YKC, registered N14139, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near New Carlisle, Ohio (Andy Barnhart Memorial Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain proper approach speed and descent path to the runway, which resulted in excessive speed at touchdown and insufficient runway remaining to safely bring the airplane to a stop before the end of the runway. Contributing to the accident was the airplane's diminished braking due to the dew-covered grass runway condition.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 14, 2020 · about 11:30 am local time
- Place
- New Carlisle, Ohio · Andy Barnhart Memorial Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Waco YKC No Series, built 1934 · all YKCs on the register
- Registration
- N14139 · registry record · serial 4219
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was practicing full-stop landings in the tailwheel-equipped airplane while on a local personal flight. The pilot reported that his first two landings were uneventful and that the surface wind was calm. He stated that before his third landing he had made two go-arounds because the airplane was not established on a proper descent path to the runway. The pilot reported that on his third attempt the airplane touched down with excessive speed and about 100 ft before the halfway point of the 2,000 ft long runway. The pilot applied "moderate" braking about 600 ft from the end of the runway in attempt to slow the airplane, but the airplane began to slide on the dew-covered grass. When it became apparent that the airplane would not stop before the end of the runway, the pilot intentionally ground-looped the airplane in attempt to avoid a runway excursion. However, the airplane continued to slide off the end of the runway and the lower right wing impacted the airport perimeter fence. The airplane then nosed over onto the fence. The lower right wing main spar fractured during the accident. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. Postaccident examination confirmed flight control continuity and found no issues with the wheel brakes.
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
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll)
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › Wet surface › Effect on operation
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Braking capability › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 819.4 hours in all; 20.5 in this make and model; 26.2 in the last 90 days; 8.1 in the last 30 days; 778.9 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 2, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 860.1 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 8, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jacobs R-755B2 (piston); 1,750 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3OH0 New Carlisle OH at 11:00 am
- Destination: 3OH0 New Carlisle OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 2,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 10:56 am from FFO, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on September 22, 2020. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum of Conversation (Roger James) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector Statement (Timothy Pence) | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Weather Reports | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photos | 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.