14 CFR Part 137: Agricultural
Accident occurred Friday, August 03, 2012 in Holcomb, KS
Probable Cause Approval Date: 01/13/2014
Aircraft: WEATHERLY AVIATION CO INC 620B, registration: N2008S
Injuries: 1 Minor.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The pilot noted that the engine rpm during the takeoff was about 30 rpm lower than normal but was still within the normal operating range. He reported that the airplane's engine then lost partial power as it climbed through about 50 feet above ground level after takeoff. After the airplane lost power, the pilot attempted to drop the chemical load to remain airborne; however, the airplane impacted an open field about 1 mile from the departure airstrip. Subsequent examinations of the airplane’s engine and its systems did not reveal any anomalies that would explain the loss of engine power. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to carburetor icing at glide and cruise power and were within the range of susceptibility for serious icing at glide power. Glide power settings yield a throttle angle similar to low power settings used for taxi operations; therefore, it is likely that the airplane’s carburetor accumulated ice after engine run-up and during taxi, which was not detected by the pilot. The pilot did not mention using carburetor heat during the pretakeoff engine run-up or during the power loss event; thus, based on the available information, it is likely that the airplane's engine lost power due to carburetor icing.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat while operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power shortly after takeoff.
On August 3, 2012, about 0919 central daylight time, a Weatherly 620B, N2008S, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the ground following a loss of engine power during takeoff from a field near Holcomb, Kansas. The pilot received minor injuries. The aircraft was owned and operated by Farmers Aviation, Inc., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an agricultural application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot reported that he completed a preflight examination and pre-takeoff run-up of the airplane with no anomalies noted. He stated that the takeoff roll was normal and the airplane lifted off in a reasonable distance. He did notice about a 30 rpm drop during takeoff compared to other takeoffs but the engine speed was still within the normal operating range. After gaining about 50 feet of altitude the airplane started losing power. The pilot attempted to drop the chemical load in an effort to stay airborne but the airplane impacted an open field about one mile north of the airstrip. The pilot stated that he thought the engine had lost almost all power by the time the airplane impacted the field. The pilot did not mention using carburetor heat during the pre-takeoff run-up or during the power loss event.
Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no preimpact anomalies that would explain the loss of engine power. Subsequent re-examination of the engine also revealed no anomalies. The carburetor and magnetos were sent to the NTSB investigator-in-charge for further examination. The carburetor was disassembled and no anomalies were noted. The right magneto was broken due to the impact; however, no anomalies were detected upon examination. The left magneto was intact and produced spark when rotated.
At 0854, the weather conditions recorded at the Garden City Regional Airport, Garden City, Kansas, about 15 miles east of the accident site included a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius and a dew point of 19 degrees Celsius.
According to the carburetor icing chart found in Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, entitled "Carburetor Icing Prevention", the reported temperature and dew point fall in the range of susceptibility for icing during glide and cruise power settings, and within the range of susceptibility for serious icing during glide power.
http://registry.faa.gov/N2008S
NTSB Identification: CEN12LA514
4 CFR Part 137: Agricultural
Accident occurred Friday, August 03, 2012 in Holcomb, KS
Aircraft: WEATHERLY AVIATION CO INC 620B, registration: N2008S
Injuries: 1 Minor.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On August 3, 2012, about 0919 central daylight time, a Weatherly 620B, N2008S, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the ground following a loss of engine power during takeoff from a field near Holcomb, Kansas. The pilot received minor injuries. The aircraft was owned and operated by Farmers Aviation, Inc., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an agricultural application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. Their report identifies the pilot as John Crist, 64, of Garden City.
GARDEN CITY, Kansas — The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating after a small plane went down northwest of Garden City. It happened around 9:15 a.m. near 19550 North Big Lowe Road. It is three miles south of the Scott-Finney County line. According to the KHP, the crop duster had mechanical issues and lost power upon taking off and crashed in a field. The pilot, 64-year-old John Crist, was taken St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City.
A pilot was critically injured after crashing his plane in Finney County. It happened just before 10 a.m. in field about 15 miles south of Scott City. Officials say the pilot was flying a crop-dusting plane and crashed for unknown reasons. He is being taken to the hospital by helicopter.
