Waco UPF 7 accident near Warrenton, Virginia, June 29, 2014
On June 29, 2014 at about 6:45 pm local time, a 1942 Waco UPF 7, registered N32162, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Warrenton, Virginia (Flying Circus Aerodrome airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power during a low pass for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination of the engine.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 2014 · about 6:45 pm local time
- Place
- Warrenton, Virginia · Flying Circus Aerodrome · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Waco UPF 7, built 1942 · all UPF 7s on the register
- Registration
- N32162 · registry record · serial 5794
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he fueled the airplane and performed a preflight inspection and engine run-up with no anomalies noted. After takeoff, he performed five circuits in the traffic pattern as part of an airshow, and, during the fifth circuit, he "pushed up the power after the pass"; however, the engine did not respond. Subsequently, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot began to turn back toward the runway to perform an emergency landing, but he realized that the airplane could not reach the runway. He then verified that the throttle and mixture were "full forward" and conducted a forced landing to an open field. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted trees and sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he did not use carburetor heat that day because the temperature was around 83 degrees F. Although the temperature and dew point about the time of the accident were favorable for serious carburetor icing at glide power settings, it could not be determined if carburetor icing contributed to the loss of engine power.
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 maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 17,445 hours in all; 33 in this make and model; 203 in the last 90 days; 94 in the last 30 days; 5,795 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 26, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,790 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 25, 2014; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,095 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor W670 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3VA3 Warrenton VA at 6:35 pm
- Destination: 3VA3 Warrenton VA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 6:35 pm from HWY, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on August 25, 2015. 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 Record – Pilot Interview | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Mechanic Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Memorandum of Record – Weather Observations Hwy | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Carburetor Ice Chart | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Photo 1 – Airplane at Rest (Courtesy of FAA) | 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.
Other NTSB records under N32162 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.