# NTSB FTW01LA211: WSK PZL Mielec PZL M18B, N203MC, Plainview, TX, September 28, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 28, 2001, 16:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Plainview, TX - Coordinates: 34.255554, -101.601387 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2556&lon=-101.6014&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53535 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA211 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53535/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA211 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the stand pipe while maneuvering during aerial application. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - object - other (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis The pilot was completing an aerial application to a field when the airplane's left wing struck a standpipe. After the airplane struck the pipe, it traveled to the west approximately 4 miles. The pilot then reported that "he could not hold it anymore", and subsequently, the airplane impacted the terrain. The 30-foot tall standpipe displayed an impact mark approximately 4 feet from the top. The outer 4 1/2 feet of the left wing, outer 1 foot of the left aileron, and red glass from the left navigation light lens, were found in a 300-foot long debris field northwest of the standpipe. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 28, 2001, at 1620 central daylight time, a PZL Meilec PZL M18B agricultural airplane, N203MC, impacted terrain after striking a standpipe while maneuvering near Plainview, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was owned by Diversified Lenders, Inc. of Lubbock, Texas, and operated by KLLR Spraying Inc., of Clovis, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The flight originated from the Hale County Municipal Airport, Plainview, Texas, at 1407. According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the pilot was completing an aerial application to a field when the airplane's left wing struck a standpipe. After the airplane struck the pipe, it traveled to the west approximately 4 miles. The pilot then reported that "he could not hold it anymore", and subsequently, the airplane impacted the terrain. A witness reported that the airplane was flying to the southwest and low. The airplane banked to the left, then right, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane cartwheeled 1 1/2 times, separated a wing, and came to rest inverted in a field. Additional witnesses observed the airplane after it struck the pipe, in low flight, and then observed it impact the field. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot received his commercial pilot certificate on June 14, 1997. The pilot was issued a second-class medical certificate on June 9, 2000, with no limitations. According to the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), which was completed by the operator, the pilot had accumulated 1,923 total flight hours of which 196 hours were in the accident aircraft make and model. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The 1999-model airplane, serial number 1Z027-12, was registered to the owner on June 15, 2000. A review of the maintenance records revealed that the airplane was last endorsed for an annual inspection on May 16, 2001, at an aircraft total time of 379.66 hours. The PZL Warszawa-Okecie AW-2-30 engine, serial number W538018, was last endorsed for an annual inspection on May 16, 2001, at a engine total time of 379.66 hours. The total time on the aircraft and engine at the time of the accident was not determined. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The FAA inspector stated that the airplane wreckage was located at latitude North 34 degrees 15.2 minutes; longitude West 101 degrees 36.5 minutes. The airplane came to rest inverted on a measured magnetic heading of 185 degrees. The 30-foot tall standpipe, which was located at latitude North 34 degrees 15.7 minutes; longitude 101 degrees 31.0 minutes, displayed an impact mark approximately 4 feet from the top. The outer 4 1/2 feet of the left wing, outer 1 foot of the left aileron, and red glass, consistent with the left navigation light lens, were found in a 300-foot long debris field northwest of the standpipe. PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The autopsy was performed by the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, on September 29, 2001. Toxicological tests performed by the FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and ethanol. Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, and Phenylpropanolamine were detected in the pilot's urine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N203MC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N203MC-2003-03-26), registration cancelled 2003-03-26, S/N 1Z027-12, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WSK PZL Mielec PZL M18B - Registry model: [Wsk-Pzl Meilec PZL M18B](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-meilec-pzl-m18b) (registry code 9810125) (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: 1Z027-12 - Airframe hours: 379.66 - Engines: WSK PZL Kalis PZL ASZ-62IR 967 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: KLLR Spraying Inc. - Registered owner: Diversified Lenders, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 2001 - Departed: PVW, Plainview, TX - Destination: PVW ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; last flight review July 25, 2001; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,924 total, 196 in this make and model, 1,829 as pilot in command, 129 in the last 90 days, 95 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °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 20010928031329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010928031329A), Sep 28, 2001: Wsk PZLM18B, Plainview, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) Pilot had completed spraying a cotton field wiht malithion for the boll weevil eradication program. On departing the field he collided with a water pump… 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.