Waco Classic Aircraft YMF F5C accident near Renton, Washington, January 25, 2014
On January 25, 2014 at about 10:01 pm local time, a 2013 Waco Classic Aircraft YMF F5C, registered N188L, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Renton, Washington (Renton Muni 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
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 25, 2014 · about 10:01 pm local time
- Place
- Renton, Washington · Renton Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Waco Classic Aircraft YMF F5C, built 2013 · all YMF F5Cs on the register
- Registration
- N188L · registry record · serial F5C-8-136
- 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 during the landing roll in the tailwheel equipped airplane, as the rudder lost effectiveness, the airplane veered to the right and then ground looped off of the runway. Subsequently, the left wing struck the ground, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported that he thought he may have inadvertently applied minor application of the right brake due to his foot placement. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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 control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 765 hours in all; 45 in this make and model; 42 in the last 90 days; 765 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 11, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 45 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 18, 2013; 45 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jacobs R-755A2M (piston); 1,892 hours total
- Operator: Benefit Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: RNT Renton WA
- Destination: RNT Renton WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16, 5,382 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from KRNT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.