# NTSB CHI96LA277: Weatherly 201B, N1282W, Fargo, ND, August 8, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1996, 07:15 local (12:15 UTC)
- Place: Fargo, ND
- Coordinates: 46.930179, -96.829048 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9302&lon=-96.8290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 29, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10345
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA277
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10345/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA277

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wire, while crossing under a transmission line.  The proximity of wires to the work area was a related factor.

## 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)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during a swath run, he was 'going under a wire . . . the rudder caught the neutral cable and rendered my elevator and rudder ineffective.'  He reduced power, and the airplane banked left and impacted the terrain. The pilot reported that there was 'nothing wrong' with the airplane before the accident. Examination of the airplane revealed evidence of a wire strike on the vertical stabilizer.

## Factual narrative

On August 8, 1996, at 0715 central daylight time, Weatherly 201B, N1282W, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a wire near Fargo, North Dakota.  The commercial pilot reported no anomalies prior to the accident.  He reported no injury.  The local, 14 CFR Part 137, aerial application flight originated about 0715.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that he was making an aerial application swathe run.  He was "going under a wire...the rudder caught the neutral cable and rendered my elevator and rudder ineffective."  He reduced power, the airplane banked left and impacted the terrain.  He reported that there was "nothing wrong" with the airplane prior to the accident.

The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector who examined the wreckage reported that the vertical stabilizer exhibited evidence of impact with a wire.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1282W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1282W-1999-07-27), registration cancelled 1999-07-27, S/N 636 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Weatherly 201B
- Registry model: [Weatherly 201B](https://openairdocs.org/model/weatherly-201b) (registry code 9630408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 636
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: David R. Gust
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 1996, 140 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,750 total, 575 in this make and model, 3,650 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °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 19960808021549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960808021549A), Aug 8, 1996: Wthrly 201B, Fargo, ND, Substantial damage. Aircraft struck power lines during aerial application. (-23) pilot spraying sunflower filed. Vertical stabilizer caught wire destroying empennage. Pilot had no…

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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