# NTSB FTW86LA102: WSK PZL Mielec PZL-M-18, N4226N, Winnie, TX, June 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1986, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Winnie, TX
- Coordinates: 29.73077, -93.889846 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7308&lon=-93.8898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22034
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22034/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA102

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Fire, other
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,tank - burst (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER DURING TAKEOFF WHEN THE #3 CYLINDER QUIT FIRING. THE AIRCRAFT THEN SETTLED BACK DOWN ONTO THE GRASS STRIP AND COLLIDED WITH A LEVY. AT THIS POINT THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH WENT THROUGH SOME UNDERBRUSH, BREAKING UP THE WINGS. THE BREAKAGE CAUSED THE FUEL TANKS TO RUPTURE AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY FIRE. THE PLT HAD PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ACFT AND THE ACFT MECHANIC HAD A REPLACEMENT CYLINDER ON ORDER WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4226N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4226N-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 1Z005-03 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WSK PZL Mielec PZL-M-18
- Registry model: [Wsk-Pzl-Mielec PZL-M-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-mielec-pzl-m-18) (registry code 9810102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12005-03
- Airframe hours: 1176
- Engines: PEZETEL M-18 1000 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: William J. Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 1986

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 6,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19860603021809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860603021809A), Jun 3, 1986: Wsk PZLM18, Winnie, TX, Destroyed. Plane lost power on takeoff and struck a levee. Number 3 cylinder had a history of problems the pilot knew about.

## Other investigations on N4226N (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 FTW81DRJ15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DRJ15), May 25, 1981: WSK PZL M-18 (N4226N), Crowville, LA, substantial damage

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.

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