# NTSB DEN83LA166: Weatherly 201B, N1279W, Thompson, ND, July 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1983, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Thompson, ND
- Coordinates: 47.770469, -97.10086 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7705&lon=-97.1009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16116
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16116/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA166

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED DURING DESCENT FOR THE FIRST SWATH RUN. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT APPLIED BACK PRESSURE TO THE CONTROL STICK TO FLARE FROM THE DESCENT. THE ACFT DID NOT RESPOND AND CONTINUED TO DESCEND. THE IMPACT WAS HARD ENOUGH TO TEAR THE LEFT WING OFF OF THE ACFT.

## 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
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1279W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1279W-2012-10-11), registration cancelled 2012-10-11, S/N 634, built 1975 (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: 634
- Airframe hours: 2106
- Engines: P&W 985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Woods Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 13, 1982, 151 hours before
- Departed: NA, GRAND FORKS, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,900 total, 1,090 in this make and model, 2,783 as pilot in command, 185 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GFK, 12 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 19830715032829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830715032829A), Jul 15, 1983: Wthrly 201B, Thompson, ND, Substantial damage. Failed to initiate a timely level off for the initial spray run. Flew into the ground. Impact tore off left wing.

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.