# Accident 20080729841599A: Wsk M18A, Caldwell, ID, July 29, 2008

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 29, 2008, 06:45 local time
- Place: Caldwell, ID
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: VVEG
- Location: 43.5869° N, 116.4597° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5869&lon=-116.4597&mi=10
- Aircraft: N81541, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81541-2013-09-12) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: WSK PZL Mielec M-18A (registry code 9810103, https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-mielec-m-18a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Wsk-Pzl-K PZL ASZ-62IR (registry code 67203, https://openairdocs.org/engine/wsk-pzl-k-pzl-asz-62ir) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WSK M18A
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 14,360 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 125 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA08CA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA168) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080729841599A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON JULY 29, 2008 A M-18A (DROMADER) S/N 1Z020-06, N81541 HIT THE POWER LINES SOUTH WEST OF CALDWELL IDAHO RUNNING EAST/WEST OF SUBSTATION ON THE DEER FLAT RD.  PILOT STATED HE WAS SPRAYING FIELDS AND TRYING TO FLY UNDER POWER LINES WHEN HE NOTED A PICKUP TRUCK ON THE SAME ROAD.  HE ATTEMPTED TO GO OVER THE TOP OF THE LINES AT THE LAST MINUTE AND HOOKED HIS MAIN LANDING GEAR ON THE FIRST WIRE.  THIS AIRCRAFT PULLED DOWN OVER ONE AND A HALF MILES OF POWER LINES AND BROKE OFF TWO POWER POLES.  AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST 300 FEET PAST THE POWER LINES AND CAUGHT FIRE AFTER IMPACT.  THIS AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED IN THE POST FIRE.  THE PILOT WAS INJURED AND HAD SOME CUTS, BUT NO BROKEN BONES AND WAS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL AFTER ONE NIGHT.

## 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 SEA08CA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA168), Jul 29, 2008: WSL PZL Mielec (N81541), Caldwell, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot failed to maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was a vehicle.

## Other reports on N81541 (1)

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

- [Incident 19980501014749I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980501014749I), May 1, 1998: Wsk M18A (N81541), Tekamah, NE. Engine quit returning to base after spraying 24HRS.

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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