# NTSB FTW93LA195: Pzl-Mielec M-18A Dromader, N116RA, Wheatley, AR, June 23, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1993, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Wheatley, AR
- Coordinates: 34.910465, -91.099357 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9105&lon=-91.0994&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 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18779
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA195
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18779/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA195

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE BEYOND ITS TAKEOFF PERFORMANCE LIMITATIONS AND INADVERTENT STALL. A FACTOR WAS HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## 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)
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - exceeded (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AS THE AIRPLANE REACHED  THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP, THE PILOT DUMPED THE LOAD  AND ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB. THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE  GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE SETTLED TO THE TERRAIN COLLAPSING THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR. THE PILOT HAD BEEN OPERATING AT THE SAME WEIGHTS FROM THE AIRSTRIP  ALL DAY. DURING THE DAY, TEMPERATURE INCREASED. FIELD ELEVATION AND DENSITY ALTITUDE WERE 230  AND 2,200 FEET MSL RESPECTIVELY.

## Factual narrative

On June 23, 1993, at approximately 1630 central daylight time, a WSK PXL MIELEC,  M-18A Dromader, N116RA, sustained substantial damage when the airplane impacted the terrain during takeoff from a private airstrip near Wheatley, Arkansas. The commercial pilot did not sustain injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight.

During a telephone interview, conducted by the investigator in charge with the pilot, the following information was revealed. The pilot had been operating the airplane with the same load weights from the grass airstrip throughout the day. During the day, the temperature and winds increased. The pilot reported the winds from the south southeast at 5 knots and gusty with a temperature of 92 degrees Fahrenheit and a high humidity. The pilot further stated that as the airplane reached the end of the runway, he started dumping the load and pulled the airplane off the ground. As the airplane settled and the left wing hit the ground, the left main gear separated from the airframe and the airplane spun around approximately 180 degrees and slid to a stop.

The private agricultural airport elevation was 230 feet MSL. Density altitude was approximately 2,200 feet MSL. On the recommendations section of the enclosed pilot report. NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot entered "longer strip or lower tmperature."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N116RA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N116RA-1997-10-22), registration cancelled 1997-10-22, S/N 1Z02002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PZL-MIELEC M-18A DROMADER (M-18A DROM)
- Registry model: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-mielec-m-18a) (registry code 9810103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1Z020-02
- Engines: Pezetel ASZ-621R-M18 967 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Ives Brothers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Airport: NONE, None, runway 18, 2,500 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,069 total, 98 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F

## 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 19930623019919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930623019919A), Jun 23, 1993: Wsk M18DROMADER, Wheatly, AR, Substantial damage. Over ran runway. Dumped load. Tried to climb. Left wing hit ground. Settled. Collapsed gear. Density altitude factor

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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