# Accident 20030810018639A: Wthrly 620A, Doland, SD, August 10, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 10, 2003, 14:15 local time
- Place: Doland, SD
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Roll-Out (Fixed Wing)
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Location: 44.8664° N, 98.0719° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8664&lon=-98.0719&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4656M, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4656M) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Weatherly 620A (registry code 9630603, https://openairdocs.org/model/weatherly-620a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney R-985 series (registry code 52008, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WTHRLY 620A
- Reported engine: PWA R985*
- Pilot flight hours: 2,050 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI03LA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA254) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030810018639A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) MR. HOFER WAS DOING AN AERIAL APPLICATION JOB ONE MILE NW OF THE TOWN OF DOLAND, SD. HE HIT SOME POWER LINES WITH HIS AIRCRAFT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE POWER LINES. THIS WIRE STRIKE ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT BRAKE LINES. AFTER THE PILOT HIT THE WIRES, HE RETURNED TO HIS HOME BASE PRIVATE LANDING STRIP LOCATED APPROXIMATELY SIX AND ONE HALF MILES SOUTH OF DOLAND, SD. THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER HE LANDED, HE DID NOT HAVE ANY BRAKES. THE AIRCRAFT WENT OFF THE END OF HIS RUNWAY AND RAN INTO A ROW OF TREES CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT AND WAS NOT INJURED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI03LA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA254), Aug 10, 2003: Weatherly 620A (N4656M), Doland, SD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wires and directional control not being possible due to the failure of the brake system. Factors contributing to the accident were the wires, the…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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