# NTSB DEN84LA217: Weatherly 201, N86686, Watertown, SD, July 10, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1984, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Watertown, SD
- Coordinates: 44.91056, -97.159446 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9106&lon=-97.1594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16429
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16429/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA217

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE SPRAY BOOM OF THE ACFT CAUGHT IN THE GREEN WHEAT ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DIRT RWY DURING TAKEOFF. THE ACFT THEN RAN OFF THE PREPARED SURFACE INTO THE WHEAT. IT THEN NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE DIRT RWY IS 30 FT WIDE. THE WINGSPAN OF THE ACFT IS APRX 40 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86686](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86686-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 101, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WEATHERLY 201
- Registry model: [Weatherly 201](https://openairdocs.org/model/weatherly-201) (registry code 9630404) (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: 101
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Valley Crop Dusters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,575 total, 300 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATY, 7 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 19840710033639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840710033639A), Jul 10, 1984: Wthrly 201, Watertown, SD, Destroyed. Hooked the spray boom on standing wheat at end of the runway during takeoff. Ag plane flipped over and burned.

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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