# NTSB LAX01LA268: Weatherly 620B, N90191, Winnemucca, NV, August 4, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 2001, 05:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Winnemucca, NV
- Coordinates: 40.883335, -117.800003
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8833&lon=-117.8000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 28, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 52935
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA268
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52935/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA268

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wires while he was maneuvering for an aerial application run.

## 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
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

The agricultural airplane impacted wires with its landing gear while the commercial pilot was maneuvering the airplane to spray a field.  The pilot indicated he should hold more altitude above power lines to prevent a similar accident.

## Factual narrative

On August 4, 2001, about 0545 Pacific daylight time, a Weatherly 620B single engine agricultural airplane, N90191, collided with power lines while spraying alfalfa fields near Winnemucca, Nevada.  The airplane was registered to and operated by Morris Ag Air & Sons, Somerton, Arizona, under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 agricultural operations.  The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  Dawn visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan was filed.  The local flight originated about 0530, from a private airstrip near Winnemucca.

According to the pilot's written statement, he was entering the field to be treated toward the south when the main landing gear impacted three top wires paralleling a road that bordered the field.  The chemical load then splashed over the cockpit and "made it impossible to see."  The airplane impacted the ground, the landing gear separated, and the airplane skidded to an upright stop after 150 yards.

Under the section of the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) titled "Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented), the pilot wrote, "hold more altitude above the power lines."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90191](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90191-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 1615, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Weatherly 620B
- Registry model: [Weatherly 620B](https://openairdocs.org/model/weatherly-620b) (registry code 9630605) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01517, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1615
- Airframe hours: 2443
- Engines: Garrett 1-1S1 500 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Morris Ag Air and Sons Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 2001, 89 hours before
- Departed: NONE, Winnemucca, NV
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review April 1, 2000; seat: center; flight hours: 1,600 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,520 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 136 °F

## 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 20010804019309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010804019309A), Aug 4, 2001: Wthrly 620B, Winnemucca, NV, No damage. (.19) On August 4, 2001, about 0545 hours pacific daylight time, a weatherly 620B, N90191, was substantially damaged when it collided with power lines while…

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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