04/11/2003. Remarks by Roger Sword: "This aircraft has been
based at the Prescott Municipal Airport, Arizona, USA, for the last several years. I
first saw it at the Copperstate Fly-In at Casa Grande, Arizona. This is my
very favorite model, being the only one that graced, what we call,
the "straight back" Waco. Unfortunately, on January 10th,
2003, upon landing, it encountered a cross-tail wind (they called it a
gust) and went off the runway and was destroyed. I inquired with some
friends several weeks later and found out what actually caused the
accident. During roll-out, a tail gust caused the aircraft to veer
left and the pilot naturally applied full right rudder. In doing so,
and due to geometric conditions, he unknowingly applied left brake at
the same time which over-powered the rudder. (The Waco has toe
brakes) The aircraft then veered left and struck a
"collapsible" runway sign. The aircraft was totaled. The
pilot was a certificated airline pilot flying the Waco for the first
time. The owner was in the right seat. I don't have their names. What
a shame to lose such a beautiful bird. I'm enclosing the front page
sidebar notice that appeared a few days later in the
Prescott Courier and the
preliminary NTSB report."
