# NTSB CHI94DCQ02: WSK PZL Mielec M-18 Dromader, N4367F, Colby, KS, July 11, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report - Date: July 11, 1994, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Colby, KS - Coordinates: 39.379089, -101.039855 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3791&lon=-101.0399&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9341 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94DCQ02 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9341/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94DCQ02 ## Probable cause fuel starvation resulting from the fuel shutoff valve closing as a result of improper adjustment. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel system,fuel shutoff - closed (cause) - maintenance,adjustment - improper, unknown - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED. THE AIRPLANE HAD 170 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR CABLE ROUTING AND LENGTH WERE QUESTIONABLE, THE CABLE WAS OLD, AND THE POSSIBILITY EXISTED THAT IT WAS NOT SET CORRECTLY. THE ENGINE WAS PLACED ON A TEST STAND. IT STARTED AND OPERATED NORMALLY. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 11, 1994, approximately 1400 hours central daylight time, a Mielec M-18 Dromader, N4367F, operated as an agricultural application airplane by Great Plains Spraying, Incorporated of Colby, Kansas, sustained an in-flight loss of engine power. The airplane landed in a cultivated field, nosed over and was substantially damaged. Approximately 15 gallons of chemical (Dimethoate) with 385 gallons of water was spilled. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 137, and originated from Colby, Kansas, at 1400 hours. The pilot stated that immediately after takeoff, at an altitude of 200 feet above ground level, the engine quit "as if the fuel had been shut off. I jammed the fuel shut off forward and turned the electric fuel pump on, but nothing changed my situation." PERSONNEL The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate, with priveledges for single and multi engine land airplanes, and instrument airplane. He held a second class medical certificate with the restriction to wear corrective lenses. He had accumulated 13,660 hours of total pilot time. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane was a WSK PZL MIELEC M-18 Dromader, single reciprocating engine, single seat, agricultural aircraft. The last annual inspection had been completed on March 5, 1994. The engine had been overhauled approximately 20 hours prior to the accident, and was installed on June 10, 1994. The airplane had approximately 170 gallons of fuel on board at takeoff. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane came to rest inverted approximately 1 1/2 miles southeast of the Colby airport. The fuselage exhibited twisting, the wingtips were damaged, and the vertical stabilizer, rudders and propeller were bent. No fire occurred. The pilot stated that the fuel selector cable routing and length was questionable, the cable was old, and there was a possibility that it was not set correctly. MEDICAL INFORMATION The pilot sustained minor injuries, cuts, bruises and abrasions. He was released after an overnight stay in the local hospital for observation. SURVIVAL INFORMATION The occupant stated that he was restrained satisfactorily by the lap and shoulder harness. TESTS AND RESEARCH The engine was placed on a test stand. It started immediately and operated normally. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The wreckage was released to the owner and transported to Malden Ag-Craft, Inc., Municipal Airport, Hangar 253, Route 3, Box 1224, Malden, Missouri, 63863. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4367F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4367F-2004-03-25), registration cancelled 2004-03-25, S/N 1Z014-10 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WSK PZL MIELEC M-18 DROMADER (M-18 DROMA) - Registry model: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18 DROMADER](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-mielec-m-18-dromader) (registry code 9810104) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: I2014-10 - Airframe hours: 2000 - Engines: Pezetel ASZ-621R-M-18 967 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Great Plains Spraying, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 1994, 10 hours before - Airport: CBK, Shalz Field, runway 17, 5,109 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 13,660 total, 50 in this make and model, 13,660 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 200 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ICT, 60 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 19940711019439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940711019439A), Jul 11, 1994: Wsk M18DROMADER, Colby, KS, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Nosed over in soft field. Engine ran normal in test stand. Fuel selector cable defective. 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.