Weatherly Aviation CO INC 620A accident near Van Horn, Texas, June 14, 2015
On June 14, 2015 at about 3:25 pm local time, a 1992 Weatherly Aviation CO INC 620A, registered N4659N, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Van Horn, Texas. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 14, 2015 · about 3:25 pm local time
- Place
- Van Horn, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Weatherly Aviation CO INC 620A, built 1992 · all 620As on the register
- Registration
- N4659N · no longer on the register · serial 1541
- 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 he was conducting agricultural spray operations and had completed two runs. During the third spray run, the engine lost power. The pilot dumped the load and then conducted a forced landing. A postcrash fire consumed the majority of the cockpit. The pilot reported that about 47 to 48 gallons of fuel was on board the airplane when he started the first run. An on-scene examination was not conducted, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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 (total) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 14,000 hours in all
- Last flight review: October 1, 2014
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,000 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 22, 2015
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whittney R-985 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Guadalupe Ag Services
The flight
- Departed from: Van Horn TX
- Destination: Van Horn TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN15LA272.