# NTSB CHI03LA254: Weatherly 620A, N4656M, Doland, SD, August 10, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 10, 2003, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Doland, SD - Coordinates: 44.86639, -98.071945 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8664&lon=-98.0719&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA- Rapid City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57689 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA254 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57689/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA254 ## 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 trees, and the failure of the brake system. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, other - landing gear,normal brake system - failure (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane sustained substantial damage when it veered off the left side of the runway and impacted trees while landing. The pilot reported the airplane struck power lines while performing an aerial application to a field. The airplane remained airborne, and the pilot returned to his private airstrip about seven and a half miles south of the power lines. The pilot reported that the power line had wrapped around the landing gear and tore the brake line to the left and right main landing gear. The pilot stated that while en route to the airstrip he determined the landing gear brakes were not operational due to the impact with the wires. ## Factual narrative On August 10, 2003, at 1415 central daylight time, a Weatherly 620A, N4656M, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees while landing on runway 30 (2,528 feet by 100 feet, turf) at Hofer Private Airport (SD13), Doland, South Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was not operating on a flight plan. The local aerial application flight originated at 1345. The pilot reported he struck power lines while performing an aerial application to a field. The airplane remained airborne, and the pilot returned to his private airstrip about seven and a half miles south of the power lines. The pilot reported that the power line had wrapped around the landing gear and tore the brake line to the left and right main landing gears. Prior to the landing, the pilot applied pressure to the brakes and realized the brakes would not be operational during the landing. While landing the airplane veered off the runway and impacted trees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4656M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4656M), registered now, S/N 1540, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Weatherly 620A - Registry model: [Weatherly 620A](https://openairdocs.org/model/weatherly-620a) (registry code 9630603) (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: 1540 - Airframe hours: 2801 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney 985 14-B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Perry Lee Hofer - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 2003, 300 hours before - Departed: SD13, Doland, SD - Destination: SD13, Doland, SD - Airport: SD13, Hofer Private Airport, runway 12, 2,528 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 29, 2002; seat: single; flight hours: 2,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: HON, 32 nm away ## 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 20030810018639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030810018639A), Aug 10, 2003: Wthrly 620A, Doland, SD, Substantial damage. (-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… 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.