# NTSB ERA10CA279: PZL Mielec M18, N80188, Lake Placid, FL, May 22, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 22, 2010, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Lake Placid, FL
- Coordinates: 27.29, -81.36 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2900&lon=-81.3600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 76073
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA279
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76073/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76073
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA279

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9810103), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9810103), [All aircraft, 3,969 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9810103), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was departing from the 60-foot-wide runway, which was lined with trees on both sides. During the takeoff roll, the pilot stated that he drifted "too far over to the left" and the airplane's left wing impacted a tree. The airplane subsequently "pulled" to the left, impacted a second tree, nosed over, and came to rest inverted in a canal which ran alongside the runway. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was departing from the 60-foot-wide runway, which was lined with trees on both sides. During the takeoff roll, the pilot stated that he drifted "too far over to the left" and the airplane's left wing impacted a tree. The airplane subsequently "pulled" to the left, impacted a second tree, nosed over, and came to rest inverted in a canal which ran alongside the runway. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80188](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80188-2016-11-08), registration cancelled 2016-11-08, S/N 1Z025-10, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PZL MIELEC M18 (A)
- 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: 1Z025-10
- Airframe hours: 3737
- Engines: Pezetel ASZ-621R-M18 986 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Southern Air Services LLC
- Registered owner: Sunniland Aircraft Sales Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 2009
- Departed: NONE, Lake Placid, FL
- Destination: NONE, Lake Placid, FL
- Airport: NONE, Sunray Airstrip, runway 36, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 15, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 1,600 total, 40 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: OBE

## 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 20100522045059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100522045059A), May 22, 2010: Wsk Pzl Mie M-18A, Lake Placid, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot states that on take-off, the left wing struck cabbage palms bordering the runway, resulting in the plane losing control,veering off the airstrip and…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76073. 346 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 323 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331983&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum for Record (item 2, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331984&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record-Master.PDF

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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