NYC00LA180

Factual narrative

On July 2, 2000, about 1711 Eastern Daylight Time, a Waco UPF-7, N32133, was substantially damaged during the initial climb from the Butter Valley Golf Port, Bally, Pennsylvania. The certificated commercial pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he was departing on Runway 34, a 2,420-foot long, 85 foot wide, asphalt and turf runway. As the airplane was rolling on the asphalt portion of the runway, he observed a moving golf cart ahead and to the right of the airplane. The pilot perceived that the airplane was on a collision course with the golf cart and veered to the left, onto the turf portion of the runway. The pilot then aborted the takeoff and the airplane continued to travel to the left side of the turf runway. The terrain on the left side of the turf runway sloped downward about 6 feet. The airplane continued down the slope, nosed over, and came to rest inverted against a tree. In a telephone interview, the pilot stated that there was a golf course located around the perimeter of the airport. As the airplane was rolling down the runway, he saw a golf cart on a collision course and lost control after the evasive action to avoid the golf cart. The winds reported by a nearby airport, at 1651, were from 220 degrees at 8 knots. The airplane was departing on a 2,420-foot long, 85-foot wide, asphalt and turf runway. As the airplane was rolling on the asphalt portion of the runway, the pilot observed a moving golf cart ahead and to the right of the airplane. The pilot perceived that the airplane was on a collision course with the golf cart and veered to the left, onto the turf portion of the runway. The pilot then aborted the takeoff and the airplane continued to travel to the left side of the turf runway. The terrain on the left side of the turf runway sloped downward about 6 feet. The airplane continued down the slope, nosed over, and came to rest inverted against a tree. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12