# NTSB CHI07CA161: Weatherly 201C, N1246W, Mc Clusky, ND, June 5, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 5, 2007, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Mc Clusky, ND
- Coordinates: 47.470275, -100.493888
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4703&lon=-100.4939&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65963
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65963/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA161

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to check for fuel contamination during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff due to water contamination.  Contributing factors to the accident included the rough/uneven field and the collapse of the main landing gear.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination,water (cause)
  - airport facilities,fuel storage - other (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
- Gear collapsed, emergency landing after takeoff
  - landing gear,main gear - collapsed (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The agricultural airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing.  The pilot reported that after liftoff the engine began to experience a loss of power.  The pilot initiated a turn back toward the airport as the engine continued to lose power.  The pilot elected to dump the airplane's chemical load prior to executing a forced landing in a field.  The main landing gear separated from the airplane during the landing which resulted in wing and propeller damage.  Subsequent to the accident, water contamination was found in the service tank used to fuel the accident airplane.  Additionally, water contamination was found in the airplane's fuel system.

## Factual narrative

The agricultural airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing.  The pilot reported that after liftoff the engine began to experience a loss of power.  The pilot initiated a turn back toward the airport as the engine continued to lose power.  The pilot elected to dump the airplane's chemical load prior to executing a forced landing in a field.  The main landing gear separated from the airplane during the landing which resulted in wing and propeller damage.  Subsequent to the accident, water contamination was found in the service tank used to fuel the accident airplane.  Additionally, water contamination was found in the airplane's fuel system.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1246W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1246W-2014-09-03), registration cancelled 2014-09-03, S/N 1010, built 1976 (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: 1010
- Airframe hours: 3195
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985-ANI14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Jay Kurtz
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2006
- Departed: 7G2, Mc Clusky, ND
- Airport: 7G2, Mc Clusky Municipal Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2006; seat: single; flight hours: 1,500 total, 65 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observed at: KBIS, 43 nm away

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.

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