Pilot Debrief

PZL MIELEC M-18A near Jennings, LA — 2013-02-15

Final reportCEN13LA163
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Date
2013-02-15
Location
Jennings, LA, USA
Aircraft
PZL MIELEC M-18A
Registration
N4305D
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with guy wires during an aerial application flight.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting aerial application activities to the southeast of the airport. After the pilot finished spraying a field with a radio tower located in the northwest corner, the airplane struck the tower's guy wires. Although the tower was marked, the guy wires were not nor were they required to be marked. The tower was also depicted on the relevant aeronautical sectional chart. An examination of the airframe, engine, and related systems revealed no malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the reported weather conditions were scattered clouds at 7,000 feet with the sun setting and visibility greater than 10 miles. It is unknown the extent that the clouds may have obscured the guy wires. The setting sun should have been behind the pilot during his pass and therefore not a factor. Based on the available evidence, it is likely the pilot lost track of the tower's location relative to his and did not notice the guy wires in time to avoid a collision.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided the area around the radio tower during aerial application.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 14 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents14

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