# NTSB FTW96LA325: Pezetel M-18A, N7643J, Mcgehee, AR, July 27, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 27, 1996, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Mcgehee, AR - Coordinates: 33.620117, -91.389984 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6201&lon=-91.3900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 23, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19926 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA325 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19926/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA325 ## Probable cause failure of the brake system for undetermined reason(s), which resulted in a loss of directional control and a subsequent encounter with a ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,normal brake system - failure (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not possible - proper alignment - not maintained - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that he experienced a complete brake system failure as he applied the brakes during the landing roll. In telephone interviews with the investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that 'after touchdown on runway 36, he noticed that he had no brakes; however, he had hydraulic pressure.' The pilot was not able to maintain directional control, and the airplane went off the right side of the runway and came to a stop in a ditch. According to the operator, the brake failure was due to failure of the hydraulic brake system for undetermined reason. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated a total of 748 flight hours since new. ## Factual narrative On July 27, 1996, at 0800 central daylight time, a Pezetel M-18A airplane, N7643J, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing near McGehee, Arkansas. The airplane, owned and operated by Evans Flying Service of McGehee, Arkansas, was being operated under Title 14 CFR part 137. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated at the McGehee Municipal Airport at 0730. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he experienced a complete brake system failure as he applied the brakes during the landing roll. In telephone interviews with the investigator-in- charge, the pilot stated that "after touchdown on runway 36, he applied brake pressure which momentarily worked and managed to slow down the airplane." The pilot added that as "he reapplied the brakes a second time, he noticed the complete loss of wheel brakes." The pilot further stated that he checked the hydraulic fluid reservoir and the brake system prior to the flight. The flap system, which is also powered by the hydraulic system, was operational prior to the brake failure and subsequent loss of control. The pilot added that after losing the brakes, the "torque took over and [the airplane] ran off the runway." The pilot was not able to maintain directional control and the airplane overran the right side of the runway and came to a stop in a 5 foot ditch. Both wings and the empennage sustained structural damage. The right main landing gear collapsed. According to the operator, the brake failure was the result of the failure of the hydraulic brake system for undetermined reason. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated a total of 748 flight hours since new. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7643J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7643J-2021-12-04), registration cancelled 2021-12-04, S/N 1Z025-18, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Pezetel M-18A - Registry model: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-mielec-m-18a) (registry code 9810103) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Wsk-Pzl-K PZL ASZ-62IR](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wsk-pzl-k-pzl-asz-62ir) (registry code 67203, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1Z025-18 - Airframe hours: 748 - Engines: Pzl-Kalisz PZL ASZ-62IR 947 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Robert A. Evans - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1996, 90 hours before - Departed: 7M1 - Airport: 7M1, Mcgehee Municipal, runway 36, 3,008 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; 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: 5,000 total, 948 in this make and model, 4,800 as pilot in command, 365 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 19960727046229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960727046229A), Jul 27, 1996: Wsk M18A, Mc Gehee, AR, No damage. (-23) After landing from a CFR 14 part 137 flight, the pilot noted brakes were ineffective and the brake pedals indicated no loss of hydraulic pressure in… ## Other investigations on N7643J (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 WPR13LA308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA308), Jul 3, 2013: WSK PZL Mielec M-18B (N7643J), Caldwell, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper decision to continue the takeoff with a tailwind after he recognized a performance problem with the airplane and his delayed action to dump the chemical load. 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.