Weatherly Aviation CO INC 620B accident near Holcomb, Kansas, August 3, 2012
On August 3, 2012 at about 2:19 pm local time, a Weatherly Aviation CO INC 620B, registered N2008S, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Holcomb, Kansas (Private Airstrip airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat while operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power shortly after takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 3, 2012 · about 2:19 pm local time
- Place
- Holcomb, Kansas · Private Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Weatherly Aviation CO INC 620B · all 620Bs on the register
- Registration
- N2008S · no longer on the register · serial 1559
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the airplane's engine lost power after takeoff. He noted that the engine rpm during the takeoff was about 30 rpm lower than he was accustomed to but still within the normal operating range. After gaining about 50 feet of altitude, the airplane lost power and the pilot attempted to drop the chemical load to remain airborne. The airplane impacted an open field about one mile from the airstrip. Subsequent examinations of the airplane engine and systems did not reveal any anomalies that would explain the loss of engine power. The temperature and dew point were within the range of susceptibility for carburetor icing at glide and cruise power, and within the range of susceptibility for serious icing at glide power. The pilot did not mention using carburetor heat during the pre-takeoff run-up or during the power loss event. Based on the available information it is likely that the airplane's engine lost power due to carburetor icing.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Contributed to outcome
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 7,347 hours in all; 2,525 in this make and model; 107 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: October 24, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,353 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 10, 2011
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-985 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Farmers Aviation INC
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Holcomb KS at 2:19 pm
- Destination: PVT Holcomb KS
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 1:54 pm from GCK, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on November 7, 2013. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Examination Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Evidence Control Form | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.