# NTSB ANC86FA057: WSK PZL-M-18, N27301, Palmer, AK, May 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1986, 13:09 local (21:09 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Coordinates: 61.61914, -148.979263 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6191&lon=-148.9793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4591
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86FA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4591/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86FA057

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT EXECUTED STEEP LEFT 180 DEGREE TURN ABOUT 50 FEET ABOVE RUNWAY JUST AFTER TAKEOFF. PILOT LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED. TURBULENCE AND WINDSHEAR HAD BEEN REPORTED. WIND SPEED AND DIRECTION WAS VARIABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27301](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27301-2023-03-08), registration cancelled 2023-03-08, S/N 1Z008-04 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WSK PZL-M-18
- Registry model: [Wsk-Pzl-Mielec PZL-M-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-mielec-pzl-m-18) (registry code 9810102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wsk-Pzl-K PZL ASZ-62IR](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wsk-pzl-k-pzl-asz-62ir) (registry code 67203, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1Z008-04
- Airframe hours: 179
- Engines: PZL-KALISZ ASZ621RM18 969 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Operator: State Of Alaska
- Registered owner: Melex USA, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 1986, 32 hours before
- Departed: PAQ, PALMER, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: PAQ, Palmer, runway 33, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,027 total, 60 in this make and model, 1,847 as pilot in command, 233 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 15 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAQ

## Other investigations on N27301 (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 CHI00LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA096), Mar 27, 2000: Wsk Pzl Mielec PZL-M-18 (N27301), Bucklin, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: the right main gear brake was binding for an undetermined reason which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane.

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.

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