# NTSB GAA15CA171: Weatherly 620B, N2034P, Hatch, NM, July 9, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 9, 2015, 07:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Hatch, NM
- Coordinates: 32.630001, -107.36 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6300&lon=-107.3600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 11, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91528
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91528/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91528
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA171

## Probable cause

The pilot failed to maintain obstacle clearance, and the airplane struck a transmission line wire during aerial application operations.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Weatherly 620B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=9630605), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Weatherly 620B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=9630605), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Weatherly 620B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=9630605), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Weatherly 620B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=9630605), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that upon completion of an aerial application of fungicide, he made an end clean up pass. He reported that the airplane struck a transmission line wire that he did not see, and then impacted the ground which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer. 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 upon completion of an aerial application of fungicide, he made an end clean up pass. He reported that the airplane struck a transmission line wire that he did not see, and then impacted the ground which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer. 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: [N2034P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2034P-2015-10-01), registration cancelled 2015-10-01, S/N 1589, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WEATHERLY AVIATION CO INC 620B (UNDESIGNAT)
- 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: 1589
- Year built: 1995
- Airframe hours: 2317
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Zeledon Roger J DBA
- Registered owner: Zeledon Roger J DBA
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 21, 2015
- Departed: E05, HATCH, NM
- Destination: E05, HATCH, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 26, 2013; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,780 total, 40 in this make and model, 2,720 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observed at: KSVC, 41 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 20150709009819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150709009819A), Jul 9, 2015: Weatherly Aviation Co Inc 620B, Hatch, NM, Substantial damage. On July 9, 2015 at 0745 MDT a Weatherly 620B N2034P, struck a power line and landed in a field, 8.7 miles west of Hatch, new Mexico, while doing agricultural…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 29, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91528. 6.2 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=40429962&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Right Wing Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429963&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Right%20Wing%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Vertical Stabilizer Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429964&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Vertical%20Stabilizer%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.

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