Event LAX07CA192

Factual narrative

On June 19, 2007, about 1120 Pacific daylight time, a Waco UPF-7, N32035, ground looped during landing at Reno, Nevada. Sierra Biplane Adventures LLC was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local revenue sightseeing flight departed Reno about 1100. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot submitted a written report. He stated that he departed for a 15-minute ride with one passenger. Upon landing on runway 34R, he did a wheel landing at 45 mph, and then lowered the tail wheel at 5 mph. The airplane violently veered left. He applied full right rudder, but the airplane did not respond. He realized that the airplane was out of control, and applied both brakes to stop the airplane's rotation. The airplane ended up 270 degrees to the runway heading with the engine not running. He restarted the engine, and taxied to the ramp. The airplane sustained damage to the right lower wing front and rear spars. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. The airplane ground looped during the landing roll, and sustained damage to the lower right wing. The pilot departed for a 15-minute sightseeing ride with one passenger. Upon landing on runway 34R, he did a wheel landing at 45 mph, and then lowered the tail wheel at 5 mph. The airplane violently veered left. He applied full right rudder, but the airplane did not respond. He realized that the airplane was out of control, and applied both brakes to stop the airplane's rotation. The airplane ended up 270 degrees to the runway heading. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12