# NTSB FTW95LA246: WSK PZL Mielec M-18 Dromader, N7070U, Jennings, LA, June 15, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 15, 1995, 09:20 local (14:20 UTC) - Place: Jennings, LA - Coordinates: 30.22043, -92.650093 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2204&lon=-92.6501&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 December 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19455 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA246 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19455/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA246 ## Probable cause THE PARTIAL POWER LOSS FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON. 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, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis DURING A CLIMBING LEFT TURN, A PART OF THE ENGINE DEPARTED THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT MADE A DECISION TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE MAIN GEAR SEPARATED WHEN THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A DIKE. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE, PORTIONS OF WHICH WERE SUBMERGED IN WATER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THAT A PART CAME OFF THE ENGINE OR WHAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE REPORTED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. ## Factual narrative On June 15, 1995, at 0920 central daylight time, a WSK PZL MIELEC, M-18 Dromader, N7070U, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Jennings, Louisiana. The commercial pilot did not receive injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight operated by Riceland Aviation Inc., under Title 14 CFR Part 137. The flight originated at 0915 and a flight plan was not filed. During interviews, conducted by the investigator-in-charge and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot and operator reported the following information. The flight departed runway 31 at the Jennings Airport and during a left climbing turn a part of the engine departed the airplane. The pilot made a decision to return to the airport; however, "engine power would not respond to an increase of the throttle," and the pilot heard "a big popping sound" as the engine lost power. During the landing roll in a rice field with standing water, the main gear separated when the airplane struck a dike. The airplane came to rest approximately 90 degrees to the direction of landing and about 30 yards from the dike. The FAA inspector examined the airplane and reported damage to the wings, empennage, engine, propeller, and tail wheel assembly. Portions of the airplane were submerged in the water and mud. The reason for the power loss could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7070U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7070U-1997-03-04), registration cancelled 1997-03-04, S/N 1Z00920 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WSK PZL MIELEC M-18 DROMADER (M-18 DROMA) - Registry model: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18 DROMADER](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-mielec-m-18-dromader) (registry code 9810104) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1Z009-20 - Airframe hours: 3666 - Engines: PZL-Kalisz ASZ-621R/16 942 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Riceland Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 1995, 519 hours before - Departed: 3R7 - Airport: 3R7, Jennings, runway 31, 3,598 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 16,000 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 600 in the last 90 days, 200 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 45° at 3 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °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 19950615049319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950615049319A), Jun 15, 1995: Jennings, LA, Substantial damage. (-16) The pilot stated that after takeoff he noticed an object fly by the right side of the aircraft. After seeing the object, he turned the aircraft around to… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.