# NTSB FTW88DRD16: PZL-Mielec M18, N46831, Bastrop, LA, July 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1988, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Bastrop, LA
- Coordinates: 32.769008, -91.899917 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7690&lon=-91.8999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22500
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DRD16
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22500/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRD16

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - hydraulic system,seal - failure,partial (cause)
  - hydraulic system,reservoir - pressure too low (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,normal brake system - inoperative (cause)
  - landing gear,emergency brake system - inoperative (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THIS AG AIRPLANE HAS A HYDRAULIC SYSTEM THAT OPERATES THE BRAKES AND FLAPS. THE ENGINE DRIVEN HYDRAULIC PUMP PROVIDES PRESSURE TO THE PRIMARY SYSTEM FOR NORMAL USE AND ALSO PROVIDES PRESSURE TO AN ACCUMULATOR FOR EMERGENCY USE. THE PRESSURE IN THE ACCUMULATOR CAN PROVIDE PRESSURE FOR SEVERAL FLAP MOVEMENTS PLUS SUFFICIENT EXTRA FOR BRAKE USE. THE PRIMARY SYSTEM AND ACCUMULATOR SYSTEM BOTH HAVE PRESSURE GAUGES. THE PILOT SAW THE PRESSURE DROP ON THE GAUGE AND FLEW TO A SATISFACTORY STRIP AND LANDED. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE PILOT SHUTDOWN THE ENGINE. ACFT TRACKED TO RIGHT, CROSSED A LEVEE AND WENT INTO A DRAINAGE DITCH. EXAM OF HYDRAULIC SYSTEM REVEALED A LEAKING SEAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46831](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46831-1990-05-31), registration cancelled 1990-05-31, S/N 1Z01227 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PZL-Mielec M18
- 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: 1Z01227
- Airframe hours: 1997
- Engines: PZL-Kalisz KALI52 967 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 4, 1988, 463 hours before
- Departed: NONE, MER ROUGE, LA
- Airport: NONE, Ag Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 10,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLU, 20 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 19880724027909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880724027909A), Jul 24, 1988: Wsk PZLM18, Bastrop, LA, Substantial damage. Lost hydraulic pressure. Returned to base. No brakes on landing. Veered into a canal. Light and and wide runway.

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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