# NTSB CHI96LA236: Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18 Dromader, N2047S, Waupaca, WI, July 10, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 10, 1996, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Waupaca, WI - Coordinates: 44.349105, -89.070388 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3491&lon=-89.0704&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 90-20-04](https://openairdocs.org/ad/90-20-04) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 10307 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA236 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10307/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA236 ## Probable cause inadequate maintenance of the throttle cable by maintenance personnel. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application - throttle/power lever,cable - disconnected - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The airplane struck a ditch during a forced landing, following a partial loss of engine power. Postflight examination revealed that the rod end on the throttle cable had separated from the cable. Examination of the rod end indicated that installation of the rod end to the throttle cable was inadequate, and the jam nut had not been tightened against the rod end. ## Factual narrative On July 10, 1996 at 1400 central daylight time (cdt), a Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18 Dromader, N2047S, was substantially damaged during a off airport landing at Waupaca, Wisconsin, following a partial loss of power. The airplane struck a ditch, during the forced landing, causing damage to the airplane's wing spars and skins. The commercial rated pilot was uninjured in the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Bancroft, Wisconsin at approximately 1345 cdt. The pilot reported on NTSB form 6120.1/2 that he had just completed spraying a field of corn, when the engine lost power and went to idle. The pilot reported that the airplane's altitude was approximately 150 feet, at the time of the power loss. The pilot reported that he attempted to land the airplane in a hay field. The hay field turned out to be two hayfields, with a road running between them. Post flight examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the rod end on the throttle cable had separated from the cable. Examination of the rod end showed that the threads were stripped out. The rod end did have a hole drilled in it which allowed visual inspection for proper installation. The threads were not stripped out past the inspection hole, and a small piece of dirt approximately the same diameter as the inspection hole was found inside the rod end. The inspector reported that the jam nut on the rod end appeared to have been loose on the rod end. The inspector said the rod end was an Army-Navy (AN) part number. The total time on the rod end was listed at 2600 hours. The airplane's last annual had been completed on March 26, 1996, 120 hours before the accident. During a telephone discussion with the aircraft operator, he believed that the rod end used was not the correct thread type. The operator thought the rod end thread was a metric thread, and was not correct for the control cable being used. Advisory Directive (AD) number 90-20-04 reports that to prevent failure of the engine throttle cable, and the propeller governor cable both cables should be changed within the next 100 hours time in service. The operator of this aircraft reported that this AD had been complied with on this airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2047S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2047S-2009-10-05), registration cancelled 2009-10-05, S/N 1Z005-09, built 1980 (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) - 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: 1Z005-09 - Airframe hours: 2600 - Engines: Pzl-Kalisz KAA103029 986 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Farmers Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 1996, 120 hours before - Departed: BANCROFT, WI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 20,000 total, 190 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 19960710022809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960710022809A), Jul 10, 1996: Wsk M18DROMADER, Waupaca, WI, Substantial damage. (.4)The airplane struck a ditch during a forced landing, following a partial loss of engine power. Postflight examination revealed that the rod end on the… 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.