# NTSB GAA15CA169: Weatherly 201B, N1292W, Pemberton, NJ, June 22, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 22, 2015, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Pemberton, NJ - Coordinates: 39.981945, -74.692779 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9819&lon=-74.6928&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91520 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA169 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91520/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91520 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA169 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane's left main landing gear impacting an unknown object, and subsequent collapse during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Weatherly 201B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9630408), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Weatherly 201B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9630408), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: hidden/submerged object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Weatherly 201B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md?model=9630408), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Weatherly 201B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9630408), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Weatherly 201B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9630408), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Weatherly 201B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=9630408), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Weatherly 201B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=9630408), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane drifted left of the runway center and the left main landing gear struck an unknown object in the tall grass. The pilot stated that he was unsure of the damage and continued his aerial application flight. During landing, observers on the ground determined that the left main landing gear was damaged. The pilot diverted to an airport that he determined would be more suitable for an emergency landing. During the landing, the left main landing gear collapsed, which caused substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane drifted left of the runway center and the left main landing gear struck an unknown object in the tall grass. The pilot stated that he was unsure of the damage and continued his aerial application flight. During landing, observers on the ground determined that the left main landing gear was damaged. The pilot diverted to an airport that he determined would be more suitable for an emergency landing. During the landing, the left main landing gear collapsed, which caused substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1292W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1292W), registered now, S/N 643, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WEATHERLY 201B (B) - 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: 643 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 5209.1 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R985-AN14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Jersey Devil Dusters LLC - Registered owner: Jersey Devil Dusters LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 2014 - Departed: Private, NJ - Destination: 3NJ1, Pemberton, NJ - Airport: 3NJ1, Pemberton, runway 22, 2,568 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2015; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,500 total, 45 in this make and model, 3,460 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KWRI, 5 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 20150622009529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150622009529A), Jun 22, 2015: Weatherly 201B, Southampton, NJ, Substantial damage. The flight originated out of a special use agricultural airstrip located on rake pond road, Pemberton, NJ. The left main gear of the aircraft hit an unkown… ## Other investigations on N1292W (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 DEN00LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA072), Apr 8, 2000: Weatherly 201B (N1292W), Rocky Ford, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of power due to an engine rocker arm failure and soft/unsuitable terrain during the subsequent forced landing. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 5, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91520. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430489&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430490&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Left Wing Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430491&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Left%20Wing%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.