# NTSB FTW89DQG03: Weatherly 201B, N1271W, Miami, TX, May 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1989, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Miami, TX
- Coordinates: 35.689937, -100.639587 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6899&lon=-100.6396&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 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22709
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DQG03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22709/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DQG03

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM A KNOWN OBSTACLE DURING AGRICULTURAL SPRAY FLIGHT OPERATIONS,

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS CONDUCTING AGRICULTURAL SPRAYING OPERATIONS WHEN IT STRUCK POWERLINES AT THE END OF THE APPLICATION RUN. THE VERTICAL FIN AND RUDDER WAS TORN OFF. THE PILOT SAID HE SHOULD HAVE PAID MORE ATTENTION TO THE KNOWN HAZARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1271W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1271W-1992-02-28), registration cancelled 1992-02-28, S/N 626 (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: 626
- Airframe hours: 2952
- Engines: P&W R985-AN-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: S&H Aerial Spraying
- Registered owner: Sand H Aerial Spraying
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1989, 80 hours before
- Departed: PPA, PAMPA, TX
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,600 total, 62 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GAG, 52 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 19890520018069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890520018069A), May 20, 1989: Wthrly 201B, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. Collided with a power line and crashed during aerial application.

## Other investigations on N1271W (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 DEN76DQG02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN76DQG02), Aug 6, 1975: Weatherly 201B (N1271W), Clovis, NM, 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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