# NTSB FTW04LA127: WSK PZL Mielec M-18, N203H, Brinkley, AR, May 8, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 8, 2004, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Brinkley, AR - Coordinates: 34.880279, -91.176391 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8803&lon=-91.1764&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 59205 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59205/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA127 ## Probable cause The pilots failure to attain flying airspeed after takeoff. A factor was the overloading of agricultural chemicals that exceeded the airplane's maximum takeoff weight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - airspeed(vso) - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis The 6,500-hour commercial pilot flying the radial engine powered agricultural airplane, was taking off from a 1/2-mile long private grass airstrip, loaded with sulfides to spray a local field. As the airplane became airborne, it settled at the departure end of the runway, and impacted a slightly elevated roadway berm which was oriented perpendicular to the departure end of the runway. The pilot reported that he believed that he loaded "too much" sulfides in the hopper, and the airplane "stalled" just after liftoff. According to the operator, the maximum takeoff weight of the airplane was 11,700 pounds (with a STC for a 800-gallon hopper). The pilot stated that he did not know his exact takeoff weight at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On May 8, 2004, at 1015 central daylight time, a WSK PZL Mielec M-18 single-engine agricultural airplane, N203H, registered to Mid South Dusters of Sherill, Arkansas, and operated by Commercial Agri Aircraft Operators of DeValls Bluff, Arkansas, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground following a loss of control after takeoff from a private grass airstrip near Brinkley, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. During an interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the 6,500-hour pilot stated that he was taking off from a 1/2-mile long private grass airstrip, loaded with sulfides to spray a local field. The airplane became airborne and then settled at the end of the runway, impacting a slightly elevated roadway berm which was oriented perpendicular to the departure end of the runway. After striking the ground, the airplane came to rest in the upright position. The pilot reported that he believed that he loaded "too much" sulfides in the hopper, and the airplane "stalled" just after liftoff. According to the operator, the maximum takeoff weight of the airplane was 11,700 pounds (with a STC for a 800-gallon hopper). The pilot stated that he did not know his exact takeoff weight at the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the left wing spar was bent and the radial engine was partially separated from the airframe. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N203H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N203H-2011-01-03), registration cancelled 2011-01-03, S/N 1Z004-09 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WSK PZL Mielec M-18 - Registry model: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18 DROMADER](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-mielec-m-18-dromader) (registry code 9810104) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1Z004-09 - Airframe hours: 6665 - Engines: PZL-Kalisz ASz-62IR 1000 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Chris Van Houten, doing business as Commercial Agri Aircraft Operators - Registered owner: Mid South Dusters - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2004, 80 hours before - Departed: NONE, Brinkley, AR - Destination: NONE - Airport: Gibbs Strip (private) ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 1, 2004; seat: center; flight hours: 6,500 total, 40 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 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 20040508009359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040508009359A), May 8, 2004: Wsk M18DROMADER, Brinkley, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) N203H was taking off from a 1/2 mile long Private grass strip. The pilot had been operating from a longer asphalt strip and was unfamiliar with the… 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.