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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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NTSB Report

July 6, 1999 · Weatherly 620B · N350WR

Timber Lake, SD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 6, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Timber Lake, SD
Aircraft
Weatherly 620B
Tail Number
N350WR
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI99LA214

The aerial spraying aircraft was loaded with 270 gallons of solution and was attempting to takeoff from the Timber Lake Airport on Runway 17 (2,400 feet by 120 feet, dry/turf). The density altitude at the time was 3,680 feet and a weather reporting station, located 30 miles and 075 degrees magnetic from the accident site, was reporting calm winds. According to the South Dakota Airport Directory, the Timber Lake Airport has a second turf runway (Runway 12/30) that is 3,300 feet long and 150 feet wide. The aircraft lifted off and then settled back onto the runway. The aircraft lifted off again and then struck a fence. The pilot stated that he decided to continue and started to dump the load of chemicals that he was carrying. The aircraft then struck another fence and posts and came to rest in a road east of the airport. The pilot stated that he did not believe that there were any problems with the aircraft. In his statement, the pilot wrote, '... what I wish I would have done is taken off on the other runway or not have filled her quite as full.' A post accident examination revealed no mechanical anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilots selection of the shorter runway and his failure to abort the takeoff. Factors to the accident were the high density altitude, the fence and the fence posts.

Full Narrative

On July 6, 1999, at 1240 mountain daylight time, a Weatherly 620B, N350WR, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain after takeoff from Runway 17 (2,400 feet by 120 feet, dry/turf) at the Timber Lake Airport near Timber Lake, South Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial spraying aircraft was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 at the time of the accident and was not on a flight plan. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a written statement, the pilot stated that the aircraft was loaded with 270 gallons of solution. The pilot stated that, during the initial takeoff roll, the aircraft seemed to accelerate normally and that the tail came off the ground where it normally would. After liftoff, the aircraft settled back down on the main landing gear about 3/4 of the way down the runway. The pilot stated that the airplane again lifted off and struck a fence. The pilot stated that he decided to continue and started to dump the load of chemicals that he was carrying. The aircraft then struck another fence and posts and came to rest in a road east of the airport. The pilot stated that he did not believe that there were any problems with the aircraft. In his statement, the pilot wrote, "... what I wish I would have done is taken off on the other runway or not have filled her quite as full." According to the South Dakota Airport Directory, the Timber Lake Airport has a second turf runway (Runway 12/30) that is 3,300 feet long and 150 feet wide. A weather reporting station, located 30 statute miles and 75-degrees magnetic from the accident site, was reporting calm winds, an altimeter setting of 30.19 inches of mercury, and a temperature of 79-degrees Fahrenheit. The Timber Lake Airport field elevation is 2,193 feet mean sea level. The density altitude was 3,680 feet.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:40 MDT
Nearest AirportTimber Lake Airport (0nm)
Runway17
Runway Length2400 ft
Runway Width120 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWeatherly 620B
Tail NumberN350WR
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-985-AN-1 · Reciprocating · 450
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 28 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data