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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

September 2, 1999 · Weatherly 620B · N4660M

Big Spring, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 2, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Big Spring, TX
Aircraft
Weatherly 620B
Tail Number
N4660M
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW99LA251

The airplane impacted a dirt terrace during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power as a result of fuel exhaustion. According to the pilot, he was applying malathion to a field when he noticed that the fuel warning light for the right fuel tank was illuminated. He switched the fuel selector from the right tank to the left tank, and subsequently, the engine lost total power. He executed a forced landing to a field where the airplane impacted a dirt terrace and came to rest upright. The operator reported that the pilot stated that the airplane 'ran out of fuel.' Examination of the fuel system revealed that there was no fuel present in the left fuel tank, and only a 'trace' of fuel was found in the right fuel tank. There was no fuel in the main fuel line or the carburetor. The integrity of the fuel system was not compromised.

NTSB Probable Cause

Fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On September 2, 1999, at 1715 central daylight time, a Weatherly 620B agricultural airplane, N4660M, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Big Spring, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by Bruton Aerial Spraying, Inc., of Garden City, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from the Big Spring McMahon-Wrinkle Airport, Big Spring, Texas, at 1625. According to the 16,361-hour pilot, he was applying malathion to a field when he noticed that the fuel warning light for the right fuel tank was illuminated. He switched the fuel selector from the right tank to the left tank, and "shortly thereafter [the] engine began cutting out and missing." He turned the auxiliary fuel pump on, but subsequently, the engine "coughed and quit." He executed a forced landing to a field where the airplane collided with a five-foot-high dirt terrace and came to a stop upright. The operator reported that the pilot stated that the aircraft "ran out of fuel." An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. The inspector stated that the left main landing gear penetrated the wing structure, and the left wing spar was damaged. The engine mount was "sheared off." There was a "trace of fuel" in the right wing fuel tank, and the left wing fuel tank was "complete[ly] dry." He added that there was no fuel present in the main fuel line, and there was no fuel present in the carburetor. He stated that the integrity of the fuel system was not compromised.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWeatherly 620B
Tail NumberN4660M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
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 55 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind225° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data