Pilot Debrief

WSK PZL MIELEC M-18A near DeWitt, AR — 2009-05-22

Final reportCEN09CA313
Sign in to save
Date
2009-05-22
Location
DeWitt, AR, USA
Airport
Pvt
Aircraft
WSK PZL MIELEC M-18A
Registration
N7056U
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the well stand-pipe during the takeoff climb.

NTSB narrative

The pilot completed five previous aerial application flights in the airplane without incident. Prior to the sixth flight the aircraft was refueled and reloaded with fertilizer. Due to a change in the winds, which became easterly and with slight gusting conditions, the pilot elected to depart the airstrip heading south. During the takeoff roll, the pilot pulled the nose of the airplane up to clear a well stand-pipe located at the south end of the runway. As the pilot applied correction for a slight right drift, "the airplane veered to the right, dropped to the ground, and slammed into a levee," finally stopping in an adjacent field. An examination of the well stand-pipe indicated that the aircraft had impacted the top of the pipe during the takeoff climb. There were no reported malfunctions with the airplane or engine prior to the accident.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

Related mishaps