Waco UPF-7 accident near Manteo, North Carolina, July 4, 2009
On July 4, 2009 at about 4:00 pm local time, a Waco UPF-7, registered N32132, was substantially damaged in an accident during standing (engine(s) operating) near Manteo, North Carolina (Dare County Regional Airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper decision to exit the airplane, with the engine operating. Contributing to the accident was the inadvertent throttle movement by the passenger.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 4, 2009 · about 4:00 pm local time · cases in 2009
- Place
- Manteo, North Carolina · Dare County Regional Airport · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Waco UPF-7 · all UPF-7s on the register
- Registration
- N32132 · registry record · serial 5764
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was giving scenic rides in the vintage airplane. The airplane was parked on the ramp, with the engine operating, and two passengers seated in the front seat. The pilot stated that he set the parking brake, and exited the airplane to secure a baggage latch, when one of the passengers "bumped" the throttle. The passenger seated in the left front seat stated that he and his wife were escorted to, and seated in the airplane, while the pilot was talking with a passenger from the previous flight. He further stated that he was in the airplane for a few seconds, when he turned, and then heard the engine sound increase. The airplane accelerated across the ramp, and struck a parked airplane. Damage to the airplane consisted of bent left wing struts with the upper left wing bent downward approximately 30 degrees, and a bent left aileron. The passenger further stated that he did not receive any pre-boarding instructions or a pre-flight briefing. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. It was noted that the engine controls were located on the left side wall of the cabin.
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 control on ground during standing (engine(s) operating) defining event
- Ground collision during standing (engine(s) operating)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Parking/securing › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine controls › Power lever › Unintentional use/operation other cases naming the engine
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › (general) › Passenger
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 21,100 hours in all; 5,000 in this make and model; 150 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental R-670-6A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Obx Air Tours
The flight
- Departed from: MQI Manteo NC
- Destination: MQI Manteo NC
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 4:01 pm from MQI
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 August 27, 2009. 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 Statement to FAA July 4, 2009 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statement to FAA July 5, 2009 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Witness Interview Statements to FAA | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photograph # 1 - View of Damage to Upper Left Wing and Left Wing Strut (Provided by Dare County Airport Operations) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photograph # 2 - View of Front Cockpit Engine Controls (Provided by FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Memorandum for Record: Non Submittal of Pilot/operator Report Form 6120 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N32132 on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Waco UPF-7 189 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Waco 657 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Continental R-670-6A 170 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Dare County Regional · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in North Carolina 1,762 since 1982 · 304 in the last ten years
- North Carolina 7,126 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ERA09CA375.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.