# NTSB DEN87LA116: Weatherly 620, N9256W, Greeley, CO, April 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1987, 08:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Greeley, CO
- Coordinates: 40.440334, -104.670928 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4403&lon=-104.6709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17217
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17217/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA116

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - airspeed(vs) - below, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED WITH FULL FUEL IN THE ACFT TO PRACTICE AERIAL SPRAYING TECHNIQUES. AFTER 45 MINS OF PRACTICE HE RETURNED TO THE ARPT FOR LANDING. HE SAID THAT PRIOR TO ENTERING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN HE SWITCHED FROM THE HALF-FULL RIGHT TANK TO THE FULL LEFT TANK. THREE MINS LATER, WHILE ON THE DOWNWIND LEG AT 300-400 FT AGL, THE ENG LOST PWR. THE PLT SAID HE WAS TOO LOW TO LOOSEN HIS SHOULDER HARNESS AND FEEL THE FUEL SELECTOR BUT HE VISUALLY CHECKED IT AND IT APPEARED TO BE POSITIONED CORRECTLY. HE SAID HE APPLIED CARB HEAT AND TURNED THE BOOST PUMP ON BUT PWR WAS NOT RESTORED. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD ADJOINING THE ARPT BUT INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE ACFT ABOUT 20 FT AGL AND CRASHED. INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION OF ACFT OR ENG. FUEL WAS PRESENT IN TANKS AND LINES. ENG WAS LATER TEST RUN WITHOUT DIFFICULTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9256W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9256W-1997-09-17), registration cancelled 1997-09-17, S/N 1501 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WEATHERLY 620
- Registry model: [Weatherly 620](https://openairdocs.org/model/weatherly-620) (registry code 9630602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1501
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Doug Campbell, doing business as C & C Aerial Sprayers
- Registered owner: C & C Aerial Sprayers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Limited (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1986, 10 hours before
- Airport: GXY, Greeley Weld County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 604 total, 12 in this make and model, 485 as pilot in command, 102 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FNL, 18 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 19870430013069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870430013069A), Apr 30, 1987: Wthrly 620, Greeley, CO, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel starvation. The aircraft nosed over on a hard landing. Fuel selector not in detent.

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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