# NTSB CHI03LA148: WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, N135RA, Reydell, AR, June 2, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 2, 2003, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Reydell, AR - Coordinates: 34.157222, -91.567779 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1572&lon=-91.5678&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57151 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57151/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA148 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during initial climb. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The agricultural airplane was on initial climb from a private airstrip when it encountered a large whirlwind and turned 90 degrees to the right. The left main landing gear subsequently contacted the ground. The airplane then nosed over. Reported winds 18 miles west of the accident site were 130 degrees between 3 to 7 knots. ## Factual narrative On June 2, 2003, at 0730 central daylight time, a WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, N135RA, operated by Bear Bayou AG Service Inc., sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during initial climb from a private airfield two miles southeast of Reydell, Arkansas. 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 commercial pilot reported minor injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported he had climbed to about 25 feet above ground level when he encountered a "large whirl wind" that was crossing the airstrip. The airplane rotated 90 degrees to the right and the left landing gear impacted the terrain. The airplane then rotated 130 degrees, the left wing impacted the terrain, and the airplane subsequently nosed over. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the accident flight. The winds and temperatures reported by the weather observation facility at Grider Field Airport (PBF), 18 nautical miles to the west of the accident site, were: Observation time: 0653 Wind Direction: 130 degrees Wind Speed: 3 knots Temperature: 21 degrees Celsius Observation time: 0753 Wind Direction: 130 degrees Wind Speed: 7 knots Temperature: 21 degrees Celsius ## Aircraft - Registration: [N135RA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N135RA-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N 1Z01333, built 1984 (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: 1Z0133 - Engines: WSK PZL Kalis PZL ASZ-62IR 1000 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Bear Bayou AG Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2003, 400 hours before - Departed: PVT, Reydell, AR - Airport: PVT, Private Strip, runway 18, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review February 3, 2003; seat: center; flight hours: 6,500 total, 450 in this make and model, 400 in the last 90 days, 200 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 3 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: PBF, 18 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 20030602012429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030602012429A), Jun 2, 2003: Wsk M18A, Stuttgart, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 2, 2003, at 0730 central daylight time, a Wsk pzl mielec M-18A, N135RA, operated by bear bayou ag service inc., sustained substantial damage when… 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.