# Accident 20100806042309A: Wsk-Pzl-Mie PZL-M-18, Maridian, CA, August 6, 2010

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 6, 2010, 09:02 local time
- Place: Maridian, CA
- Airport: Sander'S Field
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: MRQG
- Location: 39.1094° N, 121.8839° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1094&lon=-121.8839&mi=10
- Aircraft: N70461, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N70461) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Wsk-Pzl-Mielec PZL-M-18 (registry code 9810102, https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-mielec-pzl-m-18) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WSK-PZL-MIE PZL-M-18
- Reported engine: LYCOMING T53-L-7A
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 20,610 total, 205 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR10FA387](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA387) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100806042309A

## Narrative

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

THIS IS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION, SUBJECT TO CHANGE, AND MAY CONTAIN ERRORS. ANY ERRORS IN THIS REPORT WILL BE CORRECTED WHEN THE FINAL REPORT HAS BEEN COMPLETED.  ON AUGUST 6, 2010, ABOUT 0900 PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME, A PZL-M-18, N70461, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING DUE TO A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM SANBORN AIRPORT (38CN), MERIDIAN, CALIFORNIA. THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE FLIGHT WAS OPERATED BY MARTIN'S DUSTERS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (CFR) PART 137. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED, AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED FOR THE PERSONAL FLIGHT.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE HAD JUST TAKEN OFF TO THE SOUTH AND WAS BEGINNING A TURN TO THE EAST, WHEN HE HEARD A "LOUD SNAP," AND THE ENGINE STOPPED DEVELOPING POWER. HE LEVELED THE WINGS, AND ATTEMPTED A LANDING IN THE WATER-FILLED RICE PADDY IMMEDIATELY SOUTH OF THE AIRSTRIP. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK. A NEARBY WITNESS ASSISTED THE PILOT IN EXITING THE AIRPLANE.  ACCORDING TO INFORMATION PROVIDED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) PERSONNEL, THE AIRPLANE WAS REGISTERED TO MARTIN'S DUSTERS, WHICH WAS THE PILOT'S AERIAL APPLICATION COMPANY. THE AIRPLANE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A LYCOMING T53-7A TURBINE ENGINE, AND A 3-BLADED PROPELLER. THE FUSELAGE FRACTURED AT THE FIREWALL, AND THE ENGINE AND COWLING WERE FOLDED AFT AND UNDER THE REMAINDER OF THE AIRPLANE. ALL 3 PROPELLER BLADES WERE BENT AFT, AND THE VERTICAL STABILIZER WAS CANTED FORWARD. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE HAD A TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE OF ABOUT 20,000 HOURS, AND HE HELD RATINGS FOR AIRPLANE SINGLE-ENGINE-LAND AND HELICOPTERS.  ABOUT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE RECORDED WEATHER OBSERVATION AT AN AIRPORT 15 MILES EAST OF 38CN INCLUDED WINDS OF 4 KNOTS FROM 180 DEGREES, CLEAR SKIES, AND A TEMPERATURE OF 18 DEGREES C.

## 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 WPR10FA387](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA387), Aug 6, 2010: PZL Mielec M18 (N70461), Meridian, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Long-term deterioration of multiple engine fuel vaporizers that led to material failure of multiple turbine blades, which resulted in a complete loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident…

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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