Waco GXE accident near Burt, New York, September 13, 2021
On September 13, 2021 at about 6:05 pm local time, a 1929 Waco GXE, registered N8564, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Burt, New York (Olcott-Newfane 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).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The improper magneto timing, which resulted in the engine’s inability to produce full power during the takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 13, 2021 · about 6:05 pm local time
- Place
- Burt, New York · Olcott-Newfane · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Waco GXE, built 1929 · all GXEs on the register
- Registration
- N8564 · registry record · serial 1927
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident flight was the vintage biplane’s first since it had been restored 2 years prior. During takeoff, once the airplane was in ground effect, the pilot described that the airplane would not climb any further even though the engine was producing power. The pilot elected to land the airplane in a nearby field and during the landing, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the magnetos were set to fire about 7° away from the proper position in order to obtain full engine power. Furthermore, a historical reference handbook for the vintage engine stated that the magnetos needed to have an external lever connected to a control in the cockpit to mechanically vary the magneto to engine timing while the engine was running. The magnetos installed on the accident airplane did not have these controls installed. Based on this information, it is likely the engine could not produce full power as a result of the incorrect magneto timing.
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
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Ignition system › Magneto/distributor › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 12,771 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 48 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 9,361 as pilot in command; 485 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 18, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,538 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 13, 2021; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,025 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Milwaukee Parts Corporation Tank V502 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09/2, 2,500 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from IAG, 15 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KIAG 131753Z 31005KT 10SM CLR 22/13 A3009 RMK AO2 SLP187 T02220133 10222 20150 56019
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA21LA356.