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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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April 9, 1996 · Weatherly 620 · N46139

Akron, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 9, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Akron, CO
Aircraft
Weatherly 620
Tail Number
N46139
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW96LA167

During an aerial application flight swath run, the engine began to run rough followed by a total loss of power due to a cylinder failure. Part of the cylinder assembly came loose from the aircraft and penetrated the windscreen, and the windscreen became coated with engine oil. The pilot made an emergency landing on a road adjacent to the field. During landing roll, a wing tip struck a fence post and the aircraft ground looped into a ditch.

NTSB Probable Cause

a total loss of engine power due to failure of the number 2 cylinder. A factor was the limited cockpit visibility due to windscreen damage and engine oil coating.

Full Narrative

On April 9, 1996, at 1330 mountain daylight time, a Weatherly 620, N46139, ground looped into a ditch during an emergency landing near Akron, Colorado. The commercial pilot was not injured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The flight was a local aerial application flight operating under Title 14 CFR Part 137 and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight departed Akron at 1245. According to the pilot, while conducting a swath run, the engine started to run rough followed by a catastrophic failure of the number two cylinder, part of which penetrated the windscreen. The pilot said he attempted an emergency landing on a road next to the field he was spraying. During the landing roll, the aircraft ground looped into a ditch when a wing tip caught on a fence. Visibility from the cockpit was limited due to damage to the windscreen and oil which covered the surface. Inspection of the aircraft by an FAA inspector revealed that the number 2 cylinder separated at the mounting bolts and all bolts were pulled out. No evidence was found to indicate the reason for the cylinder failure. The logs indicated that the engine had been through overhaul 885 hours prior to the accident flight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWeatherly 620
Tail NumberN46139
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-985-AN14B · Reciprocating · 450
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data