# NTSB FTW93LA263: Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A Dromader, N452TC, Frogmore, LA, September 23, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1993, 19:20 local (Sep 23, 1993, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Frogmore, LA
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18834
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA263
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18834/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA263

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH THE POWERLINE. A FACTOR WAS THE DUSK LIGHT CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF AN AGRICULTURAL AIRPLANE IMPACTED A POWERLINE AND TREES WHILE ON AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT APPROXIMATELY 23 MINUTES AFTER OFFICIAL SUNSET.

## Factual narrative

On September 22, 1993, at approximately 1920 central daylight     time, a Melex M-18A Dromader, N452TC, was destroyed during aerial application maneuvering near Frogmore, Louisiana. The commercial  pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application    flight.

The operations ground manager reported the aircraft missing at    1920, after the aircraft failed to return from a local aerial     application flight at the Hamilton Farms, near Frogmore.  After a brief search, the wreckage was located at 1930 in a cultivated    field in a remote rural area. There were no witnesses to this     accident.

The pilot survived the accident and was transported to the        regional hospital for treatment, were he was reported in stable   condition after surgery. He passed away two days later as result  of complications from the injuries sustained.  An autopsy and     toxicological tests were not requested or performed.

The airplane was found in the inverted position with both wings   separated from the airframe. Two trees were damaged and power     lines were broken. The propeller assembly was found sheared at    the propeller flange, with all four blades exhibiting S-bending   and torsional twisting. The official sunset on the day of the     accident occurred at 1857.

The wreckage was released to the owner's representative by the    Federal Aviation Administration inspector at the accident site.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N452TC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N452TC-2017-02-16), registration cancelled 2017-02-16, S/N 1Z020-23, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Wsk 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)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1Z020-23
- Airframe hours: 1400
- Engines: P&W PT6-45R 1173 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Braughton, Foster L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 1, 1993, 313 hours before
- Departed: NONE, DEER PARK, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 20,000 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 180 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ESF, 47 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 19930922035919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930922035919A), Sep 22, 1993: Wsk M18DROMADER, Frogmore, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck power line and trees during spray run. Twenty three minutes after sunset.

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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