# NTSB CEN10CA406: WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, N92640, Muncie, IN, July 10, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 10, 2010, 08:40 local (12:40 UTC) - Place: Muncie, IN - Coordinates: 40.569168, -85.743057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5692&lon=-85.7431&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 11, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-IND-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76657 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA406 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76657/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76657 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA406 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to see and avoid the power line during an aerial application flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=9810103), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=9810103), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was making aerial application runs to two fields that had high tension power lines running between them. The airplane contacted an additional smaller wire that ran from the high tension lines to a substation located one-quarter of a mile away. The smaller wire, which was 73 feet above the ground, was not marked and there were no poles for this wire between high tension lines and the substation. After contacting the wire, the pilot flew the airplane back to the departure airport. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing due to the wire strike. ## Factual narrative The pilot was making aerial application swath runs to two fields that had high tension power lines running between them. The airplane contacted an additional smaller wire that ran from the high tension lines to a substation located one-quarter of a mile away. The smaller wire, which was 73 feet above the ground, was not marked and there were no poles for this wire between high tension lines and the substation. After contacting the wire, the pilot flew the airplane back to the departure airport. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing due to the wire strike. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N92640](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N92640-2022-05-11), registration cancelled 2022-05-11, S/N 1Z025-22 (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: 1Z025-22 - Engines: WSK-PZL-K PZL ASZ-62IR 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Canam Aviators Inc - Registered owner: Canam Aviators Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Marion, IN - Destination: Marion, IN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: center; flight hours: 3,400 total, 3,150 in this make and model, 3,150 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 92 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: AID, 31 nm away ## 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 20100710038559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100710038559A), Jul 10, 2010: Wsk Pzl Mie M-18A, Muncie, IN, Substantial damage. The pilot was conducting agricultural operations near Delaware county municipal airport, Muncie, Indiana when he struck a high tension power line running… ## Other investigations on N92640 (2) 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 CEN11LA512](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA512), Jul 25, 2011: WSK PZL Mielec M-18A (N92640), Anderson, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The fatigue failure of the propeller governor speeder spring, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to control engine output power. - [NTSB LAX96LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA113), Feb 16, 1996: Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18-A (N92640), Blythe, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: the pilot's premature lift-off and subsequent loss of control due to his failure to monitor the airspeed indicator during the takeoff roll. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 9, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76657. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335027&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.