# NTSB CHI92DCQ04: WSK PZL Mielec M18, N90135, Norton, KS, June 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1992, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Norton, KS
- Coordinates: 39.830093, -99.890869 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8301&lon=-99.8909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15227
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DCQ04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15227/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DCQ04

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO LEVEL OFF WHILE PERFORMING AERIAL APPLICATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - level off - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - load jettison - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE STATED THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO SETTLE TOWARD THE GROUND AS HE LINED UP ON FINAL FOR A AERIAL APPLICATION SPRAY RUN.  THE PILOT ADDED ALL AVAILABLE POWER BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE DESCENT AND LEVEL OFF. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TERRACE AND REBOUNDED INTO THE AIR.  THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO SETTLE AGAIN.  THE PILOT JETTISONED HIS LOAD OF CHEMICAL JUST BEFORE COLLIDING WITH ANOTHER TERRACE AND A FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90135](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90135-2001-04-05), registration cancelled 2001-04-05, S/N 1Z006-06 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WSK PZL Mielec M18
- Registry model: [Wsk-Pzl-Mielec PZL-M-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-mielec-pzl-m-18) (registry code 9810102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1Z006-06
- Airframe hours: 2139
- Engines: PZL-Kalisz ASZ-621R-M18 986 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Delvis Miller
- Registered owner: Delvis Miller
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 1992, 58 hours before
- Departed: NRN, NORTON, KS
- Destination: NRN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 8,297 total, 50 in this make and model, 5,144 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GLD, 90 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 19920623021539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920623021539A), Jun 23, 1992: Wsk PZLM18, Norton, KS, Substantial damage. High sink rate on final for spray run. Reported engine failed full power response struck terraces,fence and ravine

## Other investigations on N90135 (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 FTW83LA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA330), Jul 11, 1983: WSK PZL Mielec PZL-M-18 (N90135), Delaplaine, AR, substantial damage

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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