N4659N Weatherly Aviation Co Inc 620A accident

NTSB CEN15LA272 · 2015-06-14 · Van Horn, TX

Summary

The pilot reported that he was conducting agricultural spray operations and had completed two runs. During the third spray run, the engine lost power. The pilot dumped the load and then conducted a forced landing. A postcrash fire consumed the majority of the cockpit. The pilot reported that about 47 to 48 gallons of fuel was on board the airplane when he started the first run. An on-scene examination was not conducted, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Full narrative

On June 14, 2015, about 1025 central daylight time, a Weatherly 620A airplane, N4659N, lost engine power near Van Horn, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot received serious injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to Devil Dusters, Inc., and operated by Guadalupe Ag Services, Dell City, Texas, under the provisions of the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an agricultural flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The flight originated from the Culberson County Airport (KVHN), Van Horn, Texas.

The pilot was conducting spray operations on a pecan orchard and had already completed two runs. He stated that on the third run, the engine starting missing like the magnetos were failing. After he dumped the load, he looked for a place for a forced landing. The pilot recalled that prior to the first run the airplane had about 47-48 gallons of fuel on-board; 27 in the left side tank and 20 on the right.

A post-crash fire consumed much of airframe and cockpit. During the forced landing, the airplane's engine separated from the airframe and substantial damage was sustained to the right wing.

Due to the remote area, an on-scene investigation was not conducted; a reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.

Probable cause

The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.

Circumstances

Event type: Accident
Highest injury: Serious
Weather conditions: Visual Meteorological Cond
Light condition: Day
Sky condition: NONE
Ceiling (ft): 0
Visibility (sm): 10
Wind direction: 180
Wind speed (kt): 5
Temperature (F): 79
Distance from field: 0.0

Aircraft

Registration	Make	Model	Damage	FAR part
N4659N	WEATHERLY AVIATION CO INC	620A	SUBS	137

Sequence of events

#	Occurrence	Phase
1	Maneuvering-low-alt flying Loss of engine power (total) defining	Climb

Findings

Finding
Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined	cause