Classic Aircraft Corp. Waco YMF accident near Bar Harbor, Maine, August 9, 2004
On August 9, 2004 at about 3:40 pm local time, a Classic Aircraft Corp. Waco YMF, registered N723SR, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bar Harbor, Maine (Hancock County - Bar Harbor airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor was the crosswind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 9, 2004 · about 3:40 pm local time
- Place
- Bar Harbor, Maine · Hancock County - Bar Harbor · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Classic Aircraft Corp. Waco YMF
- Registration
- N723SR · registry record · serial F5C070
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the approach to runway 22, the pilot monitored the windsock and automated weather observation system (AWOS). The windsock indicated a right-quartering headwind, and the AWOS reported wind from 220 degrees to 310 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 16 knots. During the landing roll, with all three wheels on the ground, the airplane experienced a rear-quartering tailwind. The airplane began to veer left, and the pilot depressed the right brake in an effort to correct for the wind. The airplane subsequently nosed-over, and came to rest inverted in a grass area off the left side of the runway. The reported wind about the time of the accident, was from 300 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 16 knots.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 3,560 hours in all; 300 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 3,560 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jacobs R-755B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BHB Bar Harbor ME at 3:00 pm
- Destination: BHB
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 5,200 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 9 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N723SR 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.