NYC03LA077

Factual narrative

On April 4, 2003, about 1800 eastern standard time, a Waco YOC, N15244, was substantially damaged during a ground loop while landing at the Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), Allentown, Pennsylvania. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed Salisbury, Maryland, about 1600. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, when he returned to land at ABE, he landed on runway 6, a 7,600 foot long, 150 foot wide, asphalt runway. He said there was a cross wind from 100 degrees at 20 to 25 knots. After touchdown, a gust of wind caught the right wing and the tail wheeled airplane ground looped, which resulted in damage to the left lower wing. The pilot did not report any mechanical difficulties with the airplane. Winds reported at 1751, at Allentown, were from 110 degrees at 12 knots The pilot was landing on runway 6, a 7,600 foot long, 150 foot wide, asphalt runway. He said there was a crosswind from 100 degrees at 20 to 25 knots. After touchdown, a gust of wind caught the right wing and the tail wheeled airplane ground looped, which resulted in damage to the left lower wing. The pilot did not report any mechanical difficulties with the airplane. Winds reported at the airport about 10 minutes before the accident were from 110 degrees at 12 knots Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12