# NTSB CHI00LA181: Pzl-Mielec M-18A, N7015K, Champion, NE, July 7, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 2000, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Champion, NE
- Coordinates: 40.460449, -101.710823 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4604&lon=-101.7108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 6, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 51059
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51059/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA181

## Probable cause

the undetermined uncontrolled descent.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - descent - uncontrolled (cause)
  - pull-up - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot said that he was spraying through a field, when the nose of the airplane pitched downward.  The pilot said he applied full back pressure with no success in pulling the nose up.  The airplane impacted the ground.  The airplane was examined after it had been removed from the field and loaded on a truck trailer with its wings removed.  The examination of the airplane, in this configuration, revealed no anomalies.

## Factual narrative

On July 7, 2000, at 0830 mountain daylight time, a WSK-PZL Mielec, M-18A, N7015K, operated by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the terrain, 8 miles west of Champion, Nebraska.  Subsequent to the accident, the airplane, while maneuvering to set up for a chemical application pass, experienced a flight control malfunction.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was not operating on a flight plan.  The pilot reported no injuries.  The local flight originated at Imperial, Nebraska.

In his written statement, the pilot said that he was spraying through a field, when the nose of the airplane pitched downward.  The pilot said he applied full back pressure with no success in pulling the nose up.  The airplane impacted the ground.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane wreckage.  On his arrival, the inspector found the airplane loaded on a tractor trailer with the wings removed.  Examination of the airplane showed the propeller blades curled aft.  The aft fuselage and empennage were wrinkled.  The elevator was broken out.  The landing gear was broken aft.  Examination of the airplane, in this configuration, revealed no anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7015K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7015K-2000-09-12), registration cancelled 2000-09-12, S/N 1Z018-20 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Pzl-Mielec M-18A
- Registry model: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-mielec-m-18a) (registry code 9810103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1Z018-20
- Airframe hours: 2275
- Engines: WSK PZL Kalis PZL ASZ-62IR 996 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Steggs Aerial Spraying, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 11, 2000
- Departed: IML, IMPERIAL, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 6,050 total, 150 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IML, 14 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 20000707011169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000707011169A), Jul 7, 2000: Champion, NE, No damage. (-23) Pilot had completed turn and during spraying operations, and was descending to make another spray pass. Piloted stated he attempted to pull back on…

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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