# NTSB FTW04LA152: WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, N161RA, Dumas, AR, June 5, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 5, 2004, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Dumas, AR - Coordinates: 33.921665, -91.506668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9217&lon=-91.5067&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 59394 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59394/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA152 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The single-engine, tailwheel-equipped agricultural airplane lost engine power after takeoff from a private grass airstrip. The 16,200-hour pilot reported that he had flown for several hours prior to the accident with no problems. On the last takeoff, the airplane "seemed" to lose power approximately 600 yards beyond the departure end of the runway; however, the gauges indicated that the engine was performing normally. The pilot stated that the airplane had plenty of fuel onboard. The right wing "clipped" a tree, and the airplane spun around, before coming to rest in a field. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On June 5, 2004, approximately 1500 central daylight time, a WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, single-engine, tailwheel-equipped agricultural airplane, N161RA, registered to and operated by a private individual, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power after takeoff from a private grass airstrip, near Dumas, 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 Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 local aerial application flight. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the 16,200-hour pilot reported that he had flown for several hours prior to the accident with no problems. On the last takeoff, the airplane "seemed" to lose power when approximately 600 yards beyond the departure end of the runway; however, the gauges indicated that the engine was performing normally. The pilot stated that the airplane had plenty of fuel onboard. The right wing "clipped" a tree, and the airplane spun around, before coming to rest upright in a field. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the left landing gear, both wings, the tail, and propellers were sheared off the airplane. The inspector reported that an odor of fuel was present at the accident site; however, no fuel was found in the fuel tanks. The automated surface observing station at Monticello Municipal Airport (LLQ), located 21 nautical miles southwest from the accident site, at 1453 reported the wind direction variable at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clouds scattered at 4,700 feet, temperature 31 degrees Celsius, dew point 18 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.01 inches of mercury. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N161RA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N161RA-2006-05-04), registration cancelled 2006-05-04, S/N 1Z013-31, built 1984 (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: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-013-31 - Airframe hours: 4688 - Engines: PZL Mielec M-18 985 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Perkins Air Service - Registered owner: William R. Perkins - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 9, 2004, 82 hours before - Departed: NONE, Dumas, AR - Destination: NONE, Dumas, AR - Airport: Private Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 4, 2003; seat: center; flight hours: 16,200 total, 1,992 in this make and model, 16,128 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 125 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 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 20040605028279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040605028279A), Jun 5, 2004: Wsk M18A, Dumas, AR, Destroyed. (-23) After take-off the aircraft seemed to be underpowered as stated by pilot, even though engine gauges showed no problem in performance. Pilot dumped load… 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.