# NTSB CHI94LA320: Weatherly 201C, N9054W, Stephen, MN, September 11, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 11, 1994, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Stephen, MN - Coordinates: 48.86024, -95.56958 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.8602&lon=-95.5696&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9674 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA320 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9674/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA320 ## Probable cause improper rigging of the parking brake control cable resulting in inadvertent application of the left wheel brake. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,parking brake - malfunction - maintenance,adjustment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THE INITIAL PORTION OF THE TAKEOFF ROLL WAS UNEVENTFUL. AS THE TAIL STARTED TO LIFT OFF, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO PULL LEFT. THE PILOT MOVED THE THROTTLE TO IDLE AND APPLIED 'HARD' RIGHT BRAKE AS THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE TRAVELED THROUGH A SHALLOW DITCH INTO A SOFT WHEAT FIELD AND NOSED OVER. THE AIRPLANE WAS INSPECTED BY A DESIGNATED FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AIRCRAFT INSPECTOR. IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, HE REPORTED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL WAS IMPROPERLY RIGGED. ## Factual narrative On September 11, 1994, at 0830 central daylight time, a Wetherly 201C airplane, N9054W, operated by Larson Ag, Inc., sustained substantial damage when it departed the runway during takeoff near Stephen, Minnesota. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 137. No flight plan was filed. During a telephone interview, the pilot reported the initial portion of the takeoff roll was uneventful. As the tail started to lift off, the airplane began to pull left. He said he tried the right brake and the airplane continued to deviate. He reduced the throttle to idle and applied "hard" right brake as the airplane departed the runway. The airplane traveled through a shallow ditch into a soft wheat field and nosed over. The pilot reported the left tire left a skid mark on the runway. Following the accident the left wheel rotated normally. The previous owner of the airplane, reported during a telephone interview, that on May 25, 1994, the airplane had experienced a similar occurrence. He said the airplane had nosed over during landing and had sustained minor damage. He reported that the nose over was attributed to failure of the left main landing gear trailing link. The airplane was inspected by a designated Federal Aviation Administration Aircraft Inspector. In his written statement, he reported that when he arrived at the accident scene, the airplane had been moved into a hangar. He said the left wheel turned freely and the left wheel brake operated normally. Further investigation revealed the parking brake control was improperly rigged. He reported that the improper adjustment of the cable prevented the cylinder from releasing completely, causing partial inadvertent application the parking brake. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9054W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9054W), registered now, S/N 1022, built 1977 (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: 1022 - Airframe hours: 2177 - Engines: P&W 985AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Curtis M. Larson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 1994, 33 hours before - Departed: D41 - Destination: D41, MN - Airport: D41, Stephen Municipal, runway 17, 2,700 × 60 ft, macadam ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 10,446 total, 33 in this make and model, 9,962 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,600 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: 03Y, 20 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 19940911026559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940911026559A), Sep 11, 1994: Wthrly 201C, Stephen, MN, Substantial damage. Parking brake on left wheel misrigged. Caused wheel to drag and aircraft to depart runway. ## Other investigations on N9054W (2) 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 CEN11CA565](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA565), Aug 10, 2011: Weatherly 201C (N9054W), Bronson, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. - [NTSB CHI97LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA219), Jul 18, 1997: Weatherly 201C (N9054W), Stephen, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's exceeding the design stress limits of the aircraft. A factor was the crosswind. 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.