# NTSB FTW88DRD07: Pezetel M-18, N4685R, Mer Rouge, LA, June 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1988, 15:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Mer Rouge, LA
- Coordinates: 32.769443, -91.790657 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7694&lon=-91.7907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22491
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DRD07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22491/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRD07

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff

## Analysis

THE AG AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE STRIP WITH 3000 LBS OF FERTILIZER.  200 YDS LATER IT SETTLED IN A RICE FIELD AND FLIPPED FORWARD TO THE INVERTED.  NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE FOUND.  ELEVATION AT TAKEOFF WAS 150 FT MSL.  DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 2272 FT. MAX ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT WAS 10370 LBS. TAKEOFF GROSS WEIGHT WAS 10327 LBS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4685R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4685R-1999-06-15), registration cancelled 1999-06-15, S/N 1Z012-09 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PEZETEL 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: 1Z012-09
- Airframe hours: 1672
- Engines: PZL-Kalisz ASZ-62-1R 1000 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Arkla Flyers, Inc.
- Registered owner: Portland Ag-Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1988, 151 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 7,500 total, 125 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLU, 24 nm away

## 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 19880607019099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880607019099A), Jun 7, 1988: Wsk M18DROMADER, Mer Rouge, LA, Substantial damage. Overweight aircraft unable to develop speed on takeoff. Settled in field and nosed over. Density altitude a factor.

## Other investigations on N4685R (2)

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 SEA94LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA175), Jul 9, 1994: Pezetel M-18  Dromader (N4685R), Plymouth, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE RUDDER BEING JAMMED IN ALMOST THE FULL LEFT POSITION.
- [NTSB SEA92LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA221), Jun 6, 1992: WSK PZL Mielec PZL-M-18 (N4685R), Spangle, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: ALTITUDE WAS NOT ATTAINED. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: LOAD JETTISON WAS NOT POSSIBLE.

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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