# NTSB FTW00LA157: Pzl-Mielec M-18A, N2065S, Marmaduke, AR, May 30, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 30, 2000, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Marmaduke, AR - Coordinates: 36.17905, -90.379234 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1790&lon=-90.3792&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49302 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49302/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA157 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis While maneuvering during an aerial application flight, the pilot reported that the airplane 'had a violent vibration.' The pilot leveled the wings, pitched the nose down, and added power. He then flew the airplane straight and level for 1.5 miles. As the pilot banked the airplane right to turn back into the wind, the airplane began descending. The pilot added more power, but the airplane continued to descend. Although the pilot executed an emergency hopper dump and added full power, the airplane descended into a cotton field. The right landing gear touched the ground, and the airplane began skidding across the field. After passing under power lines and across a highway, the airplane began to climb. Subsequently, the airplane impacted trees and came to rest in a near vertical attitude against a tree. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies with the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On May 30, 2000, at 1330 central daylight time, a Pzl-Mielec M-18A agricultural airplane, N2065S, sustained substantial damage during an in flight collision with terrain while maneuvering near Marmaduke, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by Sky King Aviation, Inc., of Rector, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. No flight plan was filed for the local flight that departed from the Rector Airport approximately 1305. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that the airplane "had a violent vibration" while in a turn. The pilot leveled the wings, pitched the nose down, and added power. He then flew the airplane straight and level for 1.5 miles. As the pilot banked the airplane right to turn back into the wind, the airplane began descending. The pilot added more power, but the airplane continued to descend. Although the pilot executed an emergency hopper dump and added full power, the airplane descended into a cotton field. The right main landing gear touched the ground, and the airplane began skidding across the field. After passing under power lines and across a highway, the airplane began to climb. Subsequently, the airplane impacted trees and came to rest in a near vertical attitude against a tree. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies with the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2065S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2065S-2007-04-24), registration cancelled 2007-04-24, S/N 1Z024-16, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: 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: 12024-16 - Airframe hours: 1263 - Engines: Pzl-Kalisz PZL ASZ-62IR 1000 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Sky King Aviation, Inc., doing business as Aerial Application - Registered owner: J.C. Helms - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1999, 146 hours before - Departed: 7M8, RECTOR, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 4,863 total, 239 in this make and model, 4,750 as pilot in command, 86 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 20000530005589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000530005589A), May 30, 2000: Wsk M18A, Marmaduke, AR, No damage. (-23) While conducting agricultural aircraft operations the pilot failed to maintain control of the aircraft. He stated that in turn (repositioning for another… ## Other investigations on N2065S (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 FTW95LA345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA345), Aug 16, 1995: WSK PZL Mielec M-18A (N2065S), Wilmot, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING. 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.