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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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July 30, 2011 · Weatherly Aviation 620B · N90181

Hettinger, ND

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 30, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Hettinger, ND
Aircraft
Weatherly Aviation 620B
Tail Number
N90181
Operator
Air Dakota Flite
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN11LA541

The agricultural airplane was maneuvering at 500 feet above ground level when the engine lost power, and oil immediately covered the windscreen. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted a dirt berm and came to rest in a ditch. A postaccident examination of the engine showed a hole in the side of the No. 5 cylinder, which is located at the bottom of the engine. The examination also revealed that several of the connecting rods, including the No. 5 master rod, were broken. There was no evidence in the engine of scoring, thermal damage, or oil starvation. Due to the extent of the engine damage, the initial failure mode could not be determined. At the time of the accident, the engine had accumulated 43 hours since major overhaul.

NTSB Probable Cause

Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined - C

Full Narrative

On July 30, 2011, approximately 1000 central daylight time, a Weatherly Aviation Company 620B single-engine airplane, N90181, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Hettinger, North Dakota. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Air Dakota Flite, Hettinger, North Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight departed approximately 0950. According to the pilot, while maneuvering at 500 feet above ground level, the engine lost power and oil immediately covered the windscreen. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a road. During the forced landing, the main landing gear collied with a dirt berm on the side of the road, and the airplane entered a ditch. The airplane came to rest upright and the pilot exited the airplane. An examination of the airplane showed the firewall was damaged. A review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed the Pratt & Whitney R-985 AN-14B radial engine (serial number 13084) underwent its most recent annual inspection on July 5, 2011, at a total time of 5,274 hours, and 15.4 hours since major overhaul. At the time of the accident, the engine had accumulated 43 hours since major overhaul. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the accident site, the airplane was involved in an accident in 2009. During that accident, the engine separated from the airframe. After that accident, the engine received a major overhaul that was completed on December 29, 2009. There is no record in the NTSB database regarding an accident involving N90181 in 2009. On October 18, 2011, the engine was examined and disassembled at the facilities of Tulsa Aircraft Engines, Tulsa, Oklahoma, under the supervision of two FAA inspectors. Examination of the engine showed a hole in the side of the number 5 cylinder, which is located at the bottom of the engine. The examination also revealed that several of the connecting rods, including the master rod were broken. The number 5 cylinder is the engine's master rod cylinder. Additionally, there was no evidence in the engine of scoring, thermal damage, or oil starvation. Due to the damage in the engine, the initial failure mode could not be determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWeatherly Aviation 620B
Tail NumberN90181
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAir Dakota Flite
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · R-985-AN-14B · Reciprocating · 450
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 70 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data