N9033TWeatherly 6202019-10-17 NTSB Accident Report

Substantial
None

Weatherly 620S/N: 1643

Summary

On October 17, 2019, a Weatherly 620 (N9033T) was involved in an incident near Fabens, TX. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power wires while maneuvering at a low altitude.

The pilot reported that during an agricultural application flight, he made 6 passes underneath powerline wires to complete the applications. On the 7th pass underneath the powerline wires, the wire deflector cable and the vertical stabilizer struck the wires. The pilot asserted that the vertical stabilizer jammed the rudder to the left, and the airplane entered a skidding left turn. The airplane impacted the ground and the pilot exited the airplane. The airplane was consumed by fire.

The airplane sustained substantial damage.

This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA20CA033. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N9033T.

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, October 17, 2019
NTSB Number
GAA20CA033
Location
Fabens, TX
Event ID
20191018X04535
Coordinates
31.654722, -106.303337
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power wires while maneuvering at a low altitude.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
WEATHERLY
Serial Number
1643
Engine Type
Turbo-shaft
Year Built
1996
Model / ICAO
620W62T
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
ZELEDON ROGER J DBA
Address
PO BOX 276
Status
Deregistered
City
SAN MIGUEL
State / Zip Code
NM 88058-0276
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that during an agricultural application flight, he made 6 passes underneath powerline wires to complete the applications. On the 7th pass underneath the powerline wires, the wire deflector cable and the vertical stabilizer struck the wires. The pilot asserted that the vertical stabilizer jammed the rudder to the left, and the airplane entered a skidding left turn. The airplane impacted the ground and the pilot exited the airplane. The airplane was consumed by fire.

The airplane sustained substantial damage.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA20CA033