Friday, October 18, 2019

Weatherly 620B, N9033T: Accident occurred October 17, 2019 in San Elizario, El Paso County, Texas -and- Incident occurred April 15, 2019 in San Miguel, Doña Ana County, New Mexico




Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albuquerque, New Mexico

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N9033T

Location: Fabens, TX
Accident Number: GAA20CA033
Date & Time: 10/17/2019, 1330 MDT
Registration: N9033T
Aircraft: Weatherly 620
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Low altitude operation/event
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

Analysis

The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight, he made six passes underneath power wires to complete the applications. On the seventh pass underneath the power wires, the wire deflector cable and the vertical stabilizer struck the wires. The pilot asserted that the vertical stabilizer jammed the rudder to the left, and the airplane entered a skidding left turn and then impacted terrain. The airplane was consumed by fire.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power wires while maneuvering at a low altitude.

Findings

Personnel issues
Monitoring environment - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Wire - Effect on operation (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Maneuvering-low-alt flying
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Low altitude operation/event (Defining event)
Loss of control in flight

Post-impact
Fire/smoke (post-impact) 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 79, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Single
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/29/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/13/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 25000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 50 hours (Total, this make and model), 24000 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 250 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 100 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Weatherly
Registration: N9033T
Model/Series: 620 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1996
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted
Serial Number: 1643
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 6000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series:R985 
Registered Owner: Roger J. Zeledon Dba
Rated Power: 450 hp
Operator: Roger J. Zeledon Dba
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural Aircraft (137)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KELP, 3918 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2025 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 338°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 25000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 240°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.93 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 9°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Fabens, TX (E35)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Fabens, TX (E35)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1310 CDT
Type of Airspace:Class G 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  31.654722, -106.303333 (est)

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albuquerque, New Mexico

April 15, 2019:  Ground looped.

Date: 15-APR-19
Time: 18:00:00Z
Regis#: N9033T
Aircraft Make: WEATHERLY
Aircraft Model: 620B
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: AERIAL APPLICATION
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 137
City: SAN MIGUEL
State: NEW MEXICO

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