# NTSB FTW93LA177: Weatherly 620B, N2002E, Crowley, LA, June 5, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1993, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Crowley, LA
- Coordinates: 30.210723, -92.370796 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2107&lon=-92.3708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18765
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18765/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA177

## Probable cause

SEVERE PROPELLER AND AIRFRAME VIBRATION FOR UNDETERMINED  REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN  FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - propeller system/accessories - vibration (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF, THE AIRPLANE  SHOOK HARD, SETTLED, AND THE RIGHT  MAIN GEAR IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE THEN BEGAN TO CLIMB AND THE SHAKING INCREASED.  THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY SETTLED BACK DOWN  TO THE GROUND AND COLLIDED WITH A RICE LEVEE.  THE OPERATOR REPORTED A LOSS OF POWER DUE TO  A PROPELLER MALFUNCTION. AN EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER DID NOT REVEAL ANY ANOMALIES THAT WOULD  HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO AN AIRPLANE VIBRATION OR  POWER LOSS.

## Factual narrative

On June 5, 1993, at 1115 central daylight time, a Weatherly 620B, N2002E, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the ground following a loss of power during takeoff.  The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight.

During a telephone interview, conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the operator reported that the airplane hopper was loaded with 1766 pounds of dry fertilizer.  The operator stated that immediately after liftoff, the airplane shook "hard", the right wing dropped, and the right main gear contacted the ground about 500 to 600 feet from the point of liftoff.  The operator also stated that the airplane bounced and started to climb, but the vibration increased, and it subsequently settled back to the ground, hitting a levee.

The operator reported to the investigator in charge that a rod arm bushing assembly linkage for the propeller had failed in flight and the airplane could not sustain flight due to the vibration.  An examination of the propeller assembly did not reveal any anomalies that would have contributed to a power loss or vibration.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2002E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2002E), registered now, S/N 1554, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WEATHERLY 620B
- Registry model: [Weatherly 620B](https://openairdocs.org/model/weatherly-620b) (registry code 9630605) (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: 1554
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Walsh Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Unk/Na, runway 36, 2,500 × 55 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 9,497 total, 210 in this make and model, 9,497 as pilot in command, 88 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19930605016859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930605016859A), Jun 5, 1993: Wthrly 620TP, Crowley, LA, Substantial damage. On liftoff plane shook and settled. Impacted. Climbed. Settled. Hit levee. Pilot beleived prop problem. None found.

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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