# NTSB FTW95LA290: WSK PZL Mielec M-18 Dromader, N210H, De Witt, AR, July 10, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1995, 17:04 local (22:04 UTC)
- Place: De Witt, AR
- Coordinates: 34.280376, -91.329566 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2804&lon=-91.3296&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 November 8, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19492
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA290
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19492/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA290

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND THE RESULTING INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - vehicle
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

FOLLOWING A 'NORMAL' LIFTOFF, THE PILOT 'STARTED TO TURN TOWARD FIELD, AIRCRAFT SETTLED' AND COLLIDED WITH MACHINERY AT THE END OF THE 2,600 FOOT AIRSTRIP. A REVIEW OF AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE DATA INDICATED THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT OVER GROSS WEIGHT AND ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS REQUIRED A TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL DISTANCE OF 750 FEET. NO ENGINE OR AIRFRAME DISCREPANCIES WERE REPORTED.

## Factual narrative

On July 10, 1995, at 1704 central daylight time, a WSK PZL Mielec M-18 Dromader, N210H, collided with machinery during takeoff near De Witt, Arkansas.  The commercial pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  No flight plan was filed for the aerial application flight conducted by Bullock Flying Service under Title 14 CFR Part 137.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight which was originating when the accident occurred.

According to the pilot, after a "normal" liftoff, he "started to turn toward field, [and the] aircraft settled."  Subsequently, the airplane's left main landing gear "struck [a] barrel and power unit" at the end of the 2,600 foot airstrip.  The pilot reported the airplane then "turned sideways knocking out other gear" and came to rest "100 yards from end of runway."  Both main landing gear were torn from the airplane and the fuselage and horizontal stabilizer were deformed.

The operator reported the airplane was loaded with approximately 3,000 pounds of dry fertilizer.  Based on a temperature of 94 degrees and a pressure altitude of 1,000 feet, the density altitude was calculated at 3,500 feet.  Using this data, a review of the performance charts in the aircraft flight manual indicated the airplane was within the prescribed limit for gross weight and required a takeoff ground roll distance of 750 feet.  There were no reports of any engine or airframe discrepancies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N210H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N210H-1997-02-18), registration cancelled 1997-02-18, S/N 1Z00713 (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: 1Z007-13
- Airframe hours: 2367
- Engines: PZL-Kalisz ASZ62-IR-M18 967 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Billy P. Bullock
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 1995, 145 hours before
- Airport: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 7,481 total, 381 in this make and model, 7,351 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °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 19950710017609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950710017609A), Jul 10, 1995: Wsk M18DROMADER, Dewitt, AR, Substantial damage. Settled after liftoff. Struck farm machinery. Impact severed landing gear.

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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