Waco QCF accident near Rhinebeck, New York, August 14, 2004
On August 14, 2004 at about 7:40 pm local time, a Waco QCF, registered N11478, was substantially damaged in an accident near Rhinebeck, New York (Old Rhinebeck 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).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power due to a magneto failure.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 14, 2004 · about 7:40 pm local time
- Place
- Rhinebeck, New York · Old Rhinebeck · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Waco QCF · all QCFs on the register
- Registration
- N11478 · registry record · serial 3559
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the initial climb after takeoff, the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power, and the pilot elected to perform a forced landing to the grass at the runway overrun. During the landing, the airplane's lower left wing, propeller and left wing were damaged. The pilot reported that the airplane was fueled, and then flew normally for about 25 minutes earlier on the day of the accident. On scene examination of the engine, which included an inspection of intake, exhaust, and fuel system, did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions. A subsequent teardown of the engine did not reveal any catastrophic failures; however, a mechanic reported that bench testing of the magnetos revealed that they both contained open secondary windings. During an interview, the mechanic further stated that the problem with the magnetos was not apparent until they were heated to a temperature of about 130 degrees.
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: 631 hours in all; 103 in this make and model; 19 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 512 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 22, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,149 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 1, 2003; 18 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental W670 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NY94 Rhinebeck NY at 7:40 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway S, 2,200 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from POU, 24 miles away
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.