# NTSB FTW85LA281: Weatherly 201B, N2938W, Rosharon, TX, July 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1985, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Rosharon, TX
- Coordinates: 29.189105, -96.269157 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1891&lon=-96.2692&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): 21796
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA281
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21796/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA281

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE FAILED TO SWITCH FUEL SELECTOR TO THE LEFT TANK PRIOR TO TAKEOFF (RIGHT TANK EMPTY). THE ENGINE QUIT ABRUPTLY AT LOW ALTITUDE. PLT SWITCHED TO LEFT TANK BUT COULD NOT REGAIN ENGINE POWER PRIOR TO HARD LANDING IN COTTON FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2938W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2938W-2014-09-29), registration cancelled 2014-09-29, S/N 605, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WEATHERLY 201B
- Registry model: [Weatherly 201B](https://openairdocs.org/model/weatherly-201b) (registry code 9630408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 605
- Airframe hours: 2488
- Engines: P&W 985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Shirley A. Gardner
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 1985
- Departed: SRS, WHARTON, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 32,200 total, 300 in this make and model, 250 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19850710030459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850710030459A), Jul 10, 1985: Wthrly 201B, Rosharon, TX, Substantial damage. Loss of engine power after turn to swath run. Fuel selector was on empty tank. Made a hard landing in the cotton.

## Other investigations on N2938W (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA78FKQ25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78FKQ25), Jul 26, 1978: Weatherly 201B (N2938W), Drew, MS, substantial damage

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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