# NTSB ERA14CA201: WSK PZL Mielec M 18A, N2297L, Blountstown, FL, April 12, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 12, 2014, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Blountstown, FL - Coordinates: 30.486944, -85.113609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4869&lon=-85.1136&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89080 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA201 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89080/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89080 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA201 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the tailwind conditions and failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [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, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=9810103), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=9810103), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: 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, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9810103), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=9810103), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that after returning to the airfield from a local flight, he elected to land on runway 36 and acknowledged the presence of a quartering tailwind on final approach. After touchdown, the airplane continued to the left, departed the runway, and collided with a ditch. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left and right wings respectively. The reported wind at the airport about the time of the accident was from 160 degrees at 7 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that after returning to the airfield from a local flight, he elected to land on runway 36 and acknowledged the presence of a quartering tailwind on final approach. After touchdown, the airplane continued to the left, departed the runway, and collided with a ditch. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left and right wings respectively. The reported wind at the airport about the time of the accident was from 160 degrees at 7 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2297L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2297L-2022-05-11), registration cancelled 2022-05-11, S/N 1Z017-30 (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: [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: 1Z017-30 - Year built: 1987 - Airframe hours: 7542 - Engines: Allied Signal Garrett-II 980 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Canam Aviators Inc - Registered owner: Canam Aviators Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 10, 2014, 98 hours before - Departed: F95, Blountstown, FL - Destination: F95, Blountstown, FL - Airport: F95, Calhoun County Airport, runway 36, 3,100 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 25, 2013; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 6,221 total, 1,902 in this make and model, 6,181 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 7 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: F95 ## 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 20140412005689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140412005689A), Apr 12, 2014: Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A, Blountstown, FL, Destroyed. On landing roll out pilot stated the left wheel seemed out of control causing the aircraft to veer to the left off the runway into a drainage ditch. Aircraft… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 28, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89080. 895 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 613 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412804&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412805&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Airplane at Rest (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 212 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412807&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Airplane%20at%20Rest%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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. --- 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.