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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

August 8, 1999 · Weatherly 201B · N197SK

Oberlin, KS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 8, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Oberlin, KS
Aircraft
Weatherly 201B
Tail Number
N197SK
Operator
Richard E Shaw
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI99LA297

The airplane impacted a muddy field following a loss of engine power during an aerial application. The Bendix NA-R9B carburetor fulcrum screw and the carburetor float pivot pin exhibited chatter marks. The fulcrum screw was removed after turning it 1/2 of a turn. The fulcrum screw safety wire was broken. The NA-R9B float carburetor technical overhaul manual states that the fulcrum screw is to be torqued to a value of 100-120 in-lbs.

NTSB Probable Cause

Engine failure due to an undertorqued carburetor fulcrum screw. Contributing factors were the muddy terrain and the low altitude of the aerial operation.

Full Narrative

On August 8, 1999, at 0745 central daylight time, a Weatherly 201B, N197SK, operated and piloted by a commercial pilot, impacted a muddy field following a loss of engine power during an aerial application of a field, located approximately 3 miles west and 1-1/4 miles south of Oberlin, Kansas. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 agricultural flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot sustained no injuries. The flight departed the pilot's private airport at 0700. The pilot stated that he was 100 feet agl "coming out of a 180 degree turn when the engine abruptly lost power. He was working a field from east to west. The oil and fuel pressure was "ok". The engine was barely running and he could not bring the power back up. He did not "pull" the carburetor heat during the loss of engine power. He stated that he did not have a choice of where to land as the engine stopped. During the landing, the main landing gear separated from the aircraft and its belly became shredded. Inspection of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed that there was 28 gallons of fuel aboard. The Bendix NA-R9B carburetor fulcrum screw and the carburetor float pivot pin exhibited chatter marks. The fulcrum screw was removed after turning it 1/2 of a turn. The fulcrum screw safety wire was broken. The NA-R9B float carburetor technical overhaul manual states that the fulcrum screw is to be torqued to a value of 100-120 in-lbs.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:45 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWeatherly 201B
Tail NumberN197SK
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRichard E Shaw
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-985 · Reciprocating · 450
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 4 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:42
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data