# Accident 20050823020409A: Wsk M18A, Elko, NV, August 23, 2005

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 23, 2005, 14:12 local time
- Place: Elko, NV
- Airport: Elko Regional Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Climb
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.0200° N, 115.7550° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0200&lon=-115.7550&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7077N, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7077N-2022-09-03) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: WSK PZL Mielec M-18A (registry code 9810103, https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-mielec-m-18a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pezetel ASZ-621R-M18 (registry code 49800, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pezetel-asz-621r-m18) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WSK M18A
- Reported engine: LYC T53*
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 12,250 total, 550 in this make and model, 85 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX05TA277](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05TA277) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050823020409A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNDER CONTRACT TO BLM FOR FIREFIGHTING. THE PILOT WAS PART OF A FIREFIGHTING EFFORT IN HIGH WINDS IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE PILOT DROPPED FIRE RETARDANT ON WEST SIDE OF RIDGE AND CONTINUED OVER THE RIDGE PEAK AND DOWN THE EAST SIDE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB ABOVE THE SUBSEQUENT LOWER RIDGE. THE AIRCRAFT THEN STRUCK THAT RIDGE APPROXIMATELY 45 FEET FROM THE TOP AND SLID 115 FEET TO THE PEAK. AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX05TA277](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05TA277), Aug 23, 2005: WSK PZL Mielec M-18A (N7077N), Elko, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to adequately plan for the wind direction and speed during a fire retardant delivery flight, which led to a loss of true airspeed, failure to attain a proper climb rate, and the…

## Other reports on N7077N (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20040711013469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040711013469A), Jul 11, 2004: Wsk M18A (N7077N), Pine Ridge, SD, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft owned and operated by airwork enterprises of Florida, inc. denver city, TX was in cruise flight returning from fire patrol near Pine Ridge,…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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