# NTSB CHI92DTK02: Weatherly 201C, N1290W, Timber Lake, SD, June 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1992, 07:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Timber Lake, SD
- Coordinates: 45.430454, -100.88076 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4305&lon=-100.8808&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 July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15264
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DTK02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15264/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DTK02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE PROPELLER CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF AND INITIAL CLIMB.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - propeller - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE STATED HE LIFTED OFF IN GROUND EFFECT AND SETTLED BACK TO THE GROUND IN A FIELD PAST THE END OF THE RUNWAY.  A POST IMPACT FIRE DESTROYED THE AIRPLANE.  EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED THE PROPELLER CONTROL SET TO MID RANGE.  WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT STATED THE AIRPLANE SEEMED SLOW AND NOT AS LOUD AS PREVIOUS TAKEOFFS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1290W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1290W-1994-07-01), registration cancelled 1994-07-01, S/N 1001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WEATHERLY 201C
- Registry model: [Weatherly 201C](https://openairdocs.org/model/weatherly-201c) (registry code 9630410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1001
- Airframe hours: 3527
- Engines: P&W R985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: West River Aerial
- Registered owner: West River Aerial
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 1992, 29 hours before
- Departed: D58
- Airport: D58, Timber Lake Municipal, runway 17, 2,880 × 120 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,229 total, 266 in this make and model, 2,761 as pilot in command, 111 in the last 90 days, 62 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920601017319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920601017319A), Jun 1, 1992: Wthrly 201C, Timber Lake, SD, Destroyed. Tried to depart a short runway,calm wind with cruise prop setting. Unable to leave ground effect. Struck trees.

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.