# NTSB CHI97LA267: Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A, N178RA, Coopersville, MI, August 23, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 23, 1997, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Coopersville, MI - Coordinates: 43.059177, -85.92958 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0592&lon=-85.9296&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10679 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA267 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10679/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA267 ## Probable cause the pilot inadequate fuel system management which led to a fuel starvation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor) - fuel management - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis Following an agricultural flight, the pilot noticed that the right fuel tank was reading under 1/8 full and the left fuel tank was 1/4 full. The pilot opened the overflow valve and slipped the airplane to balance the fuel levels. The pilot did this maneuver twice and the fuel gauge indicated 1/8 full in both tanks. The pilot said that the fuel pressure was then lost and a total power loss occurred. He tried the regain fuel pressure by using the wobble pump but could not restart the engine. The airplane was moved and disassembled by the owner before the fuel tanks could be inspected. The owner said that the airplane manufacturer said fuel feed problems are caused by an air leak in the cover plates on the fuel tanks. The pilot did not dump his chemical load following the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On August 23, 1997, at 1045 eastern daylight time (edt), a Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A, N178RA, registered to Hatfield Spraying Services, Inc., of Nunica, Michigan, was substantially damaged following a total loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing in a farmer's field. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight departed Nunica, Michigan, at 0945 edt. According to the pilot's written statement, he was returning from spraying a field when he noticed a lower fuel level in the right tank than in the left tank. He decided to open the overflow valve and slip the airplane to allow the fuel in the left tank to flow into the right tank. The fuel level in the left tank was 1/4 full with the right tank indicting under 1/8 full. After 30 seconds of slipping the airplane, he leveled out and notice that both tanks indicated 1/8 full. The pilot did this procedure again after several minutes passed. The pilot said that the engine lost fuel pressure and had a total power loss. Restart attempts by re-establishing fuel pressure with the wobble pump failed to restart the engine. The pilot had 200 pounds of chemicals on board but chose not to dump his load, because he was concerned about creating a spill. While selecting a field to land in, the pilot said, "...to make my approach to it (field). While extending or continuing the left turn, I lost more altitude than anticipated and clipped the top of one tree with the left wing." The airplane came to rest in a soft cornfield. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the wreckage had already been moved from the site and disassembled upon his arrival. The owner of the company said that there was a problem with the fuel system on the M-18A. The owner reported that the factory believes that fuel problems are caused by the cover plates on the fuel tanks having leaks in low pressure area of the wing, causing fuel not to flow uniformly from the tanks. This could not be verified by the FAA Inspector. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N178RA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N178RA-2013-08-13), registration cancelled 2013-08-13, S/N 1Z015-10, built 1985 (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: [Pezetel ASZ-621R-M18](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pezetel-asz-621r-m18) (registry code 49800, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1Z015-10 - Airframe hours: 2600 - Engines: Pezetel ASZ621RM18 960 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Hatfield Spraying Service, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 1997, 134 hours before - Departed: 33C, NUNICA, MI - Destination: 33C ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 1,644 total, 420 in this make and model, 1,594 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GRR, 28 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 19970823023389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970823023389A), Aug 23, 1997: Wsk M18A, Coopersville, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft involved in areaial application, engine lost fuel pressure, crashed into a field. (.4)following an agricultural flight, the pilot noticed that the… ## Other investigations on N178RA (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 CHI00FA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00FA139), May 20, 2000: Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A (N178RA), Muskegon, MI, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees. Factors relating to this accident were the low altitude and the trees. 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.