# NTSB FTW83LA243: Weatherly 620, N4619E, Cornerstone, AR, May 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1983, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Cornerstone, AR
- Coordinates: 34.309413, -91.840774 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3094&lon=-91.8408&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): 20909
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20909/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA243

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fuel system,carburetor - loss,total (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BANK DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PLT SAID HE WAS MAKING A SWATH RUNWHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. THE FLAGMAN SAID HE SAW BLACK SMOKE THEN WHITE SMOKE AS THE ENGINE QUIT. POST CRASH INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FLOAT FULCRUM SCREW (P/N P13773) HAD BACKED OUT OF THE CARBURETOR ASSEMBLY. THIS WOULD RESULT IN ENGINE FLOODING. THE SCREW WAS FOUND IN THE COWLING AFTER THE ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER THE SCREW IS INITIALLY SAFETIED TO A PIPE PLUG. IF INSTALLED IN AN ACFT WITH A FUEL PRESSURE GAUGE THIS PIPE PLUG IS REMOVED SO THE SCREW HAS TO BE RESAFETIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4619E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4619E-2013-07-19), registration cancelled 2013-07-19, S/N 1513, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WEATHERLY 620
- Registry model: [Weatherly 620](https://openairdocs.org/model/weatherly-620) (registry code 9630602) (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: 1513
- Airframe hours: 369
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Tomlin Flying Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 6, 1983, 3 hours before
- Departed: NONE, ALTHEIMER, AR
- Airport: NONE, None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 11,600 total, 3,600 in this make and model, 11,538 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 4 knots, gusting 6
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19830517074779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830517074779A), May 17, 1983: Wthrly 620, Cornerstone, AR, Substantial damage. Float fulcrum screw backed out of carburetor causing power loss and crash during emergency landing attempt.

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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