# Accident 20060622015179A: Wthrly 201B, Bowbells, ND, June 22, 2006

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 22, 2006, 18:07 local time
- Place: Bowbells, ND
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Location: 48.8161° N, 102.2536° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.8161&lon=-102.2536&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1263W, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1263W-2006-08-18) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Weatherly 201B (registry code 9630408, https://openairdocs.org/model/weatherly-201b) (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 201B
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 7,500 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI06CA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA162) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060622015179A

## Narrative

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

(-23) PILOT WAS APPLYING HERBICIDE TO PASTURE LAND WITH GENERAL TOPOGRAPHY OF HILLS AND VALLEYS. AFTER COMPLETING A WESTWARD RUN, PILOT TURNED SOUTHWARD AND WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR A HILL THAT WAS APPROXIMATELY 500 FEET HIGHER THAN THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE ASCENDING SIDE OF THE HILL WITH THE UNDERSIDE OF THE AIRCRAFT CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE STRUCTURE, LANDING GEAR ASSEMBLIES, PROPELLER AND ENGINE ASSEMBLIES. THE AIRCRAFT CRESTED THE HILL IN A SKIPPING FASHION COMING TO A REST APPROXIMATELY 100-125 YARDS FROM THE FIRST POINT OF IMPACT. THE PILOT REPORTED THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON FIRE BY THE TIME THE AIRCRAFT STOPPED MOVING AND HE EVACUATED IMMEDIATELY. PILOT SUFFERED MINOR BURNS TO HIS FACE AND POSSIBLE 2ND DEGREE BURNS TO HIS RIGHT HAND. FIRE APPEARS TO HAVE EMANATED FROM THE RIGHT AFT SIDE OF ENGINE, LOWER AREA WHERE THE OIL COOLER & CARBURETOR IS LOCATED. CONSIDERING THE SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE SUSTAINED IN THE AREA, SUSPECT ENGINE FUEL AND OIL IGNITED FROM SPARKS CAUSED BY AIRCRAFT IMPACT WITH ROCKY TERRAIN. PILOT READILY STATES NO MECHANICAL ISSUES/ANOMALIES WERE EXPERIENCED OR SUSPECTED, HE SIMPLY WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR THE TERRAIN.

## 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 CHI06CA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA162), Jun 22, 2006: Weatherly 201B (N1263W), Bowbells, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance to the rising terrain while maneuvering during the agricultural application flight. Contirbuting factors were the low altitude operation and the rising…

## Other reports on N1263W (4)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19850315007409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850315007409A), Mar 15, 1985: Wthrly 201B (N1263W), Davenport, WA, Substantial damage. Vibration in engine and loss of oil pressure. Flipped over landing in a field. Crankcase breather plugged.
- [Incident 19780705042319I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780705042319I), Jul 5, 1978: Wthrly 201 (N1263W), Lincoln, CA, Minor damage. Landing gear leg damaged when ag pilot struck a rice dike during application operations.
- [Accident 19750909030429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750909030429A), Sep 9, 1975: Wthrly 201A (N1263W), Davis, CA, Substantial damage. R brake master cyl o ring failed
- [Accident 19750511012379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750511012379A), May 11, 1975: Wthrly 201B (N1263W), Woodland, CA, Substantial damage. Flt under wires. Wheel struck ditch bank,broke scissors. Further dmg on ldg.

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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