Weatherly 620B accident near Atkinson, Nebraska, September 4, 2008
On September 4, 2008 at about 11:45 pm local time, a Weatherly 620B, registered N2036U, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Atkinson, Nebraska (O'Neill Municipal Airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power due to water contamination and corrosion within the fuel system at an undetermined time and from an undetermined source.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 4, 2008 · about 11:45 pm local time
- Place
- Atkinson, Nebraska · O'Neill Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Weatherly 620B
- Registration
- N2036U · no longer on the register · serial 1596
- 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 commercial pilot was performing an aerial application pass when the engine suddenly stopped running. The pilot landed the airplane in a field and the airplane nosed over during the landing, bending the engine firewall and substantially damaging both wings. The pilot was uninjured. The engine had two cracked cylinders and had been stored outside and exposed to weather elements prior to being inspected. Inspection of the carburetor revealed corrosion consistent with water exposure on internal components, including the finger filter. Inspection of the fuel pump inlet fitting showed evidence of rust on the blades and inlet portion of the fitting. The inlet fuel fitting was present and the inlet fuel line was completely separated at the inlet fitting. The rotor assembly was removed and there was evidence of water damage, rust deposits in the pump interior, liner, lower journal, and bearing. The rust deposits were excessive and impeded proper functioning.
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
- Nose over/nose down during landing
- Fuel contamination during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 500 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 200 in the last 90 days; 150 in the last 30 days; 350 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 17, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,874 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 5, 2008; 88 hours since
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt And Whitney R985AN-14B (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Quality Air Applicators
The flight
- Departed from: ONL O'Neill Municip NE at 11:00 am
- Destination: ONL O'Neill Municip NE
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:50 pm from ONL, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.