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WPR25LA165

2025-05-29 · Lewiston, Montana, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Current FAA registration · N90393

Make / Model
WEATHERLY AVIATION CO INC 620B
Year of manufacture
1995 · 30 years old at event
Engine
P&W R-985 SERIES (450 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19970620
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AC7E00

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during an aerial application flight, he completed one pass over a field and initiated a climb to return for the second pass. As the climb progressed, he realized he did not have sufficient airspeed or altitude to maintain clearance from the approaching terrain. He was eventually able to complete the turn but did not have sufficient airspeed or altitude to avoid terrain and the airplane struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the lower fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Pilot
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2025_WPR25LA165.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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