# NTSB SEA88LA148: Weatherly 620, N4603G, Wilbur, WA, August 8, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1988, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Wilbur, WA
- Coordinates: 47.719329, -118.699104 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7193&lon=-118.6991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40862
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40862/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA148

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system,pump - deteriorated (cause)
  - fuel system,electric boost pump - deteriorated (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AN ENGINE POWER LOSS OCCURRED DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN ROUGH TERRAIN. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED DETERIORATED SEALS IN THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP. EXAM OF THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP DISCLOSED SIMILARLY DETERIORATED SEALS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4603G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4603G-2013-04-08), registration cancelled 2013-04-08, S/N 1506 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WEATHERLY 620
- Registry model: [Weatherly 620](https://openairdocs.org/model/weatherly-620) (registry code 9630602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1506
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Dennis L. Buddrius
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 9,000 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 250 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19880808031469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880808031469A), Aug 8, 1988: Wthrly 620, Wilbur, MO, Substantial damage. Engine lost power. Caught again but not in time to avert hard landing in rough terrain. Fuel pumps seals failed.

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.