# NTSB DFW05CA132: Weatherly 201B, N1284W, Tornillo, TX, May 24, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 24, 2005, 05:50 local (10:50 UTC)
- Place: Tornillo, TX
- Coordinates: 31.525833, -106.156112
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5258&lon=-106.1561&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61568
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61568/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA132

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power as result of the failure of a cylinder.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The 4,609-hour pilot reported that while spraying a field, the engine lost power and he initiated a forced landing to a nearby field.  During the landing roll across plowed rows in the field, the airplane bounced, nosed over, and came to rest inverted.  Examination of the radial engine revealed that a cylinder was cracked.

## Factual narrative

On May 24, 2005, at 0550 central daylight time (CDT), a Weatherly 201B single-engine tail-wheel equipped agricultural airplane, N1284W, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while performing an aerial application near Tornillo, Texas.  The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries.  The airplane was registered to and operated by C&D Aerial Inc., of Clint, Texas.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight.  The local flight originated from the Fabens Airport (E35) near Fabens, Texas at 0530.

The 4,609-hour pilot reported in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that while spraying a field, the engine began to backfire and produced "minimal power."  He then dumped the chemical load that was in the hopper while initiating a forced landing to a nearby field.  During the landing roll across plowed rows in the field, the airplane bounced, nosed over, and came to rest inverted.

Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that the horizontal stabilizer and rudder were bent.

Examination of the 450-horsepower Pratt and Whitney R-985 radial engine by the airplane owner revealed that a cylinder was cracked.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1284W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1284W-2007-02-13), registration cancelled 2007-02-13, S/N 638, 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: 638
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: C & D Aerial Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: Tornillo, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; seat: center; flight hours: 4,609 total, 1,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 75 °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 20050524008549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050524008549A), May 24, 2005: Wthrly 201B, Tornillo, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 24, 2005 at 0550 MST a weatherly 201B, N1284W, registered to c & d aerial inc. nosed over during an emergency landing approximately 2 miles south…

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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