# NTSB CHI00LA137: Weatherly 201C, N9198W, Ionia, KS, May 14, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 14, 2000, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Ionia, KS - Coordinates: 39.670757, -98.149642 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6708&lon=-98.1496&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 21, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49230 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA137 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49230/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA137 ## Probable cause the partial engine failure for undetermined reasons and the unsuitable terrain for landing encountered by the pilot. A factor to the accident was the hilly terrain condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis While the pilot was conducting aerial application operations the engine lost partial power and the pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing after failed attempts to regain sustained engine power. The pilot landed in rough terrain and the aircraft was substantially damaged during the landing. The pilot reported that the flight was initiated 45-minutes prior to the loss of engine power. The pilot stated that the flight began with 39-gallons of fuel in the left tank and 23-gallons of fuel in the right tank. The pilot stated that he had been operating on the left tank since departure. The pilot reported that the expected fuel burn was 27-gallons per hour. Examination of the fuel system, including the fuel selector, revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On May 14, 2000, at 0900 central daylight time, a Weatherly 201C, N9198W, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with the terrain, while executing a precautionary landing after a loss of engine power near Ionia, Kansas. The pilot was conducting aerial application operations at the time of the accident. Visual metrological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. The accident flight departed a private airstrip near Burr Oak, Kansas, at 0815, for the local flight. According to the pilot's written statement, when he departed he had 23-gallons of useable fuel in the right tank and 39-gallons of useable fuel in the left tank. The pilot reported, "In app. [approximately] 45 min after take off the engine cut out restarted and run for app. 3 seconds, by pumping the thorotle [throttle] the engine restarted and run app 2-3 seconds[.] The right tank low fuel light came on when [the] engine first cut out." The pilot reported that the engine had been running off the left fuel tank for the entire flight up to the loss of engine power. The pilot continued, "I was flying app. 300 ft agl [above ground level]. The selector was move[d] back & forth from left to right a[t] least 3 times. By pumping the primer I was able to fly app 2.5 miles." The pilot stated that the area where he was flying was, "very rough ground (range land, with steep hills and deep draws...". The pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing and during landing the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that the expected fuel burn was 27-gallons per hour. A representative of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted an on-scene examination of the wreckage on May 14, 2000. According to the inspectors statement, "Operation of the fuel selector revealed a detent in each position. The cowling was removed to gain access to the fuel selector valve, inspection revealed the valve installation was correct and operation appeared to be normal. Both wing tanks fuel quantity indicators were zero, the tanks were visually inspected and were empty. The pilot stated that after the accident, the fuel in the left tank had drained out during the night." The FAA inspector reported that he could not confirm or disprove the pilot's claim concerning the fuel leak, but noted that there was the smell of fuel at the accident site. The aircraft was transported to a maintenance facility and the fuel system was examined. FAA records indicate that the fuel system was inspected and no discrepancies were noted. A dented fuel line from the right tank to the fuel selector was identified, but an operational test of the line revealed no restriction of fuel flow from the right tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9198W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9198W-2005-09-26), registration cancelled 2005-09-26, S/N 1033, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Weatherly 201C - Registry model: [Weatherly 201C](https://openairdocs.org/model/weatherly-201c) (registry code 9630410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1033 - Airframe hours: 4664 - Engines: P&W R985-AN-1 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Richard M. Harris - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 2000, 60 hours before - Departed: PVT, BURR OAK, KS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,325 total, 1,301 in this make and model, 5,012 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 131 °F, dew point 93 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CNK ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000514006819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000514006819A), May 14, 2000: Wthrly 201C, Ionia, KS, Substantial damage. (.23) 5/26/200 On may 14, 200 at approx. 15:00 hours, a weatherly 201-C (ag), N9198W was involved in an accident five miles south and one half mile east of… ## Other investigations on N9198W (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 DEN80FTM39](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FTM39), Sep 5, 1980: Weatherly 201 (N9198W), Delta, UT, no damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.