Waco UPF-7 and Clark KitFox IV accident near Dayton, Ohio, July 17, 2002
On July 17, 2002 at about 7:25 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Waco UPF-7 (N29988) and Clark KitFox IV (N430DC), were involved in the same accident near Dayton, Ohio (Moraine Airpark airport). 3 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The inadequate visual lookout by the pilot of the Kitfox. Factors related to the accident were the non-radio equipped Waco, and the hazy visual conditions.
The inadequate visual lookout by the pilot of the Kitfox. Factors related to the accident were the non-radio equipped Waco, and the hazy visual conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 17, 2002 · about 7:25 pm local time
- Place
- Dayton, Ohio · Moraine Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Waco UPF-7 · all UPF-7s on the register
- Registration
- N29988 · registry record · serial 5485
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Clark KitFox IV, amateur-built
- Registration
- N430DC · registry record · serial 1739
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Waco UPF-7 final · quoted from the NTSB record
After landing on the grass area adjacent to the paved runway, the Kitfox pilot taxied his airplane eastbound, where he "looked down the runway," observing that there was no traffic on the runway or on final approach. The pilot then announced on the common traffic advisory frequency that he was going to "back taxi" on the active runway. As the KitFox entered onto the runway, it was struck by another airplane, which was on rollout from landing. The landing airplane was not equipped with a communications radio or a landing light. The airport traffic area was uncontrolled. The weather reported at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident, included visibility of 6 miles and haze.
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 NTSB's narrative for the Clark KitFox IV final · quoted from the NTSB record
After landing on the grass area adjacent to the paved runway, the Kitfox pilot taxied his airplane eastbound, where he "looked down the runway," observing that there was no traffic on the runway or on final approach. The pilot then announced on the common traffic advisory frequency that he was going to "back taxi" on the active runway. As the KitFox entered onto the runway, it was struck by another airplane, which was on rollout from landing. The landing airplane was not equipped with a communications radio or a landing light. The airport traffic area was uncontrolled. The weather reported at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident, included visibility of 6 miles and haze.
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 for the Waco UPF-7 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 10,000 hours in all; 6,000 in this make and model; 125 in the last 90 days; 9,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 13, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,981 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 14, 2001; 54 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental R670 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: I73 Dayton OH at 4:30 pm
- Destination: I73
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 3,500 ft by 65 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; a few clouds at 14,000 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 7:54 pm from DAY, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
The factual record for the Clark KitFox IV from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 629 hours in all; 75 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 564 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 24, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 77 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 31, 2001; 18 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Nsi EA-81 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: I73 Dayton OH at 12:00 pm
- Destination: I73
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 3,500 ft by 65 ft
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.