# NTSB CEN09CA313: WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, N7056U, DeWitt, AR, May 22, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 22, 2009, 12:20 local (17:20 UTC) - Place: DeWitt, AR - Coordinates: 34.316665, -91.633331 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3167&lon=-91.6333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73907 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA313 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73907/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73907 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA313 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the well stand-pipe during the takeoff climb. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation; cases with it: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=9810103), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9810103), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=9810103), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=9810103), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9810103), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=9810103), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative The pilot completed 5 previous aerial application flights in the airplane without incident. Prior to the 6th flight, the aircraft was refueled and reloaded with fertilizer. Due to a change in the winds; now 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7056U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7056U-2012-06-15), registration cancelled 2012-06-15, S/N 1Z024-10, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WSK PZL MIELEC M-18A - Registry model: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-mielec-m-18a) (registry code 9810103) (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: 1Z024-10 - Airframe hours: 6009 - Engines: Garrett TPE-331 940 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Bullock Billy P DBA - Registered owner: Bullock Billy P DBA - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 24, 2009 - Departed: DeWitt, AR - Destination: DeWitt, AR - Airport: Pvt, Bullock Flying Service, runway 18, 2,600 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 23, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 8,305 total, 4,788 in this make and model, 7,927 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 12 - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,600 ft overcast - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20090522007919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090522007919A), May 22, 2009: Wsk M18A, Dewitt, AR, Substantial damage. On may 22, 2009 at approx 12:20 local time N7056U an M-18 dromander agricultural aircraft crashed on takeoff. After making numerous takeoffs to the north the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 24, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73907. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315070&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.