# NTSB SEA97LA074: Weatherly 620B, N20113, Wasco, OR, March 22, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1997, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Wasco, OR
- Coordinates: 45.589756, -120.63047 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5898&lon=-120.6305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 10, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42574
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42574/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA074

## Probable cause

the partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for a precautionary landing.  A factor was the rough terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that his engine began running roughly while he was conducting a spray pass.  He pulled up and elected to perform a precautionary landing in an adjacent field, where he believed he could check out the apparent roughness. During the landing roll, the right wheel dug into the soil and the airplane nosed over when he applied brakes to attempt to stop the ensuing groundloop.

## Factual narrative

On March 22, 1997, approximately 1130 Pacific standard time, N20113, a Weatherly 620B agricultural aircraft, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during a precautionary landing near Wasco, Oregon.  The commercial pilot, who was engaged in aerial application activities, sustained minor injuries.  The flight had departed about ten minutes earlier from a Wasco airstrip.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  There was no fire and the airplane was not equipped with an ELT.

The pilot stated that his engine began running roughly while he was conducting a spray pass.  He pulled up and elected to attempt a precautionary landing in an adjacent field, where he believed he could check out the apparent roughness.  During the landing roll, the right wheel dug into the soil and the airplane nosed over when he applied brakes to attempt to stop the ensuing groundloop.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20113](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20113-2000-06-15), registration cancelled 2000-06-15, S/N 1561 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Weatherly 620B
- Registry model: [Weatherly 620B](https://openairdocs.org/model/weatherly-620b) (registry code 9630605) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1561
- Engines: P&W R985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Grant And Sandy Porter  Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,400 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19970322003499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970322003499A), Mar 22, 1997: Wthrly 620B, Wasco, OR, Substantial damage. Aerial application when experienced mechanical problem, attempted to land in a field. Crashed. (.4)the pilot stated that his engine began running roughly 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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