Weatherly 620 N4623M accident near Ulysses, Kansas

Probable cause

An in-flight fire and subsequent loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to extensive fire damage to the airplane and its fuel and electrical systems.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, about 10 minutes after takeoff while in cruise flight at 200 feet above ground level, he smelled smoke in the cockpit. Within 10 seconds, dark smoke filled the cockpit. He turned the master switch to the "off" position, and the engine subsequently stopped producing power. He turned on the master switch and the fuel boost pump to restart the engine, but the engine did not restart. He executed a forced landing to a cornfield, and fire consumed most of the airplane. The examination of the wreckage revealed that the radial engine and the components located forward of the firewall exhibited minimal fire damage. The area that exhibited the most extensive fire damage was located between the chemical hopper and aft of the engine firewall; this area included the fuel boost pump, fuel strainer, and fuel lines. The source of the fire and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined due to the extensive fire damage to the airplane's fuel and electrical systems.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13LA561 for the full record.