# NTSB CHI06CA162: Weatherly 201B, N1263W, Bowbells, ND, June 22, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 22, 2006, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Bowbells, ND - Coordinates: 48.816112, -102.253608 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.8161&lon=-102.2536&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Fargo FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64193 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06CA162 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64193/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA162 ## 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 terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application - low altitude flight/maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane impacted rising terrain during an agricultural application flight and was subsequently destroyed during a post impact ground fire. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The pilot reported that he was spraying a pasture in a hilly area prior to the accident. He stated that as he turned toward the south to go to another field, he encountered a 500-foot high hill in his flight path. He noted that there were hills on both sides and antennas to the west of his position preventing a turn to avoid the rising terrain in front of him. He stated that the airplane was unable to clear the top of the hill and was subsequently destroyed during a post impact ground fire. The pilot commented that the airplane might have encountered a gust of wind as he attempted to clear the hill. He stated that there were no malfunctions or failures associated with the airplane prior to the accident. The pilot reported winds were from the northwest at 3 knots, gusting to 8 knots. ## Factual narrative The airplane impacted rising terrain during an agricultural application flight and was subsequently destroyed during a post impact ground fire. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The pilot reported that he was spraying a pasture in a hilly area prior to the accident. He stated that as he turned toward the south to go to another field, he encountered a 500-foot high hill in his flight path. He noted that there were hills on both sides and antennas to the west of his position preventing a turn to avoid the rising terrain in front of him. He stated that the airplane was unable to clear the top of the hill and was subsequently destroyed during a post impact ground fire. The pilot commented that the airplane might have encountered a gust of wind as he attempted to clear the hill. He stated that there were no malfunctions or failures associated with the airplane prior to the accident. The pilot reported winds were from the northwest at 3 knots, gusting to 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1263W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1263W-2006-08-18), registration cancelled 2006-08-18, S/N 617, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Weatherly 201B - Registry model: [Weatherly 201B](https://openairdocs.org/model/weatherly-201b) (registry code 9630408) (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: 617 - Airframe hours: 7580 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Palmer A. Brekhus - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2005 - Departed: 5B4, Bowbells, ND - Airport: --- ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2005; seat: single; flight hours: 7,500 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 7,500 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 3 knots, gusting 8 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 20060622015179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060622015179A), Jun 22, 2006: Wthrly 201B, Bowbells, ND, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot was applying herbicide to pasture land with general topography of hills and valleys. After completing a westward run, pilot turned southward and… ## Other investigations on N1263W (3) 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 SEA85LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA076), Mar 15, 1985: Weatherly 201B (N1263W), Davenport, WA, substantial damage - [NTSB OAK76DVG21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76DVG21), Sep 9, 1975: Weatherly 201A (N1263W), Davis, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB OAK75DVG63](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK75DVG63), May 11, 1975: Weatherly 201B (N1263W), Woodland, CA, substantial 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.