Weatherly 620A N4650W

Summary

On 9 August 1992 at about 15:30 local time, a Weatherly 620A registered N4650W, operated by Varner Bass Aviation, Inc, was involved in an accident near Cobb, Georgia, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 August 1992 at 15:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Cobb, Georgia, United States

Coordinates

31.9592, -83.9592

Aircraft

Weatherly 620A

Registration

N4650W

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Varner Bass Aviation, Inc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Leesburg → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL92LA154

1 person had minor injuries.

THE CORRODED, AND SEPARATED, MAGNETIC CHIP DETECTOR PLUG WHICH ALLOWED THE LOSS OF ALL ENGINE OIL AND THE ENGINE'S SUBSEQUENT SEIZURE. FACTORS WERE THE INADEQUATE 100 HOUR INSPECTION, AND THE HIGH VEGETATION IN THE FORCED LANDING FIELD.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

WHILE CONDUCTING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE ENGINE SEIZED & A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE INTO A CORN FIELD. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING ROLL. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT ENGINE OIL COVERED ITS BELLY. THE CHIP DETECTOR IN THE OIL SUMP OF THE ENGINE WAS FOUND BROKEN, WITH THE DETECTOR ELECTRODE HELD ON BY ITS TRANSMISSION WIRE. THE OPEN DETECTOR PORT HAD ALLOWED ALL OF THE ENGINE OIL TO ESCAPE. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE DETECTOR ELECTRODE REVEALED THAT IT HAD SEPARATED BECAUSE OF CORROSION. THE OPERATOR'S MECHANIC STATED THAT HE USUALLY FOUND ABOUT ONE TABLESPOON OF WATER IN THE ENGINE SUMP DURING 100 HOUR OIL CHANGES.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.