# NTSB FTW94LA281: WSK PZL Mielec M-18A Dromader, N148RA, Wheatley, AR, August 27, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1994, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Wheatley, AR
- Coordinates: 34.909149, -91.100936 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9091&lon=-91.1009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19148
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA281
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19148/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA281

## Probable cause

TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A CRACKED CYLINDER. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

FOLLOWING A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE TO A BEAN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE BEAN PLANTS PILED UP IN FRONT OF THE WHEEL AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER TO THE INVERTED POSITION. STRUCTURAL DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE LEFT WING, HORIZONTAL STABILIZER, AND RUDDER. AN INSPECTION DISCLOSED THAT THE # 5 CYLINDER HEAD WAS CRACKED. CAUSE OF THE CRACK WAS UNDETERMINED.

## Factual narrative

On August 27, 1994, at 1030 central daylight time, a Mielec     M-18A Dromader, was substantially damaged while maneuvering near Wheatley, Arkansas.  The commercial pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight.

The pilot reported that while applying sodium chlorate to a rice field the engine lost power.  During the landing roll in a bean field the plants piled up in front of the wheels and the airplane nosed over to the inverted position.  Structural damaged occurred to the left wing, horizontal stabilizer, and rudder.

Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector disclosed that the number 5 cylinder head was cracked.  The cause of the crack was not determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N148RA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N148RA-2017-07-19), registration cancelled 2017-07-19, S/N 1 Z 013-21, built 1984 (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: [Pezetel ASZ-621R-M18](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pezetel-asz-621r-m18) (registry code 49800, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12013-21
- Engines: PZL-WARSZANA ASZ-621R-M18 986 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Ives Brothers, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 10, 1994

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,113 total, 1,044 in this make and model, 2,113 as pilot in command, 498 in the last 90 days, 200 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## Other investigations on N148RA (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 FTW97LA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA231), Jun 20, 1997: Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A (N148RA), Waldenburg, AR, destroyed. Probable cause: the pilot's improper planning/decision. The short runway and failure to use up to 10 degrees of flaps were related factors.

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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