# NTSB FTW97LA159: Pzl-Mielec M-18A, N6872, Sinton, TX, April 13, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 13, 1997, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Sinton, TX - Coordinates: 28.029281, -97.500991 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0293&lon=-97.5010&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 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20199 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20199/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA159 ## Probable cause Fuel starvation resulting from the failure of the engine driven fuel pump due to an undetermined reason. A factor was the soft terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel system,pump - failure,total (cause) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis During a forced landing, following a total loss of engine power, the airplane flipped inverted in the soft field. The pilot reported that he was practicing with a newly installed GPS unit prior to beginning the spraying season. The mechanic, who repaired the airplane following the accident, reported that the engine driven fuel pump had failed; however, the reason for the pump failure was not determined. The pump was replaced and the engine operated at full power without discrepancies. ## Factual narrative On April 13, 1997, at 1600 central daylight time, a Pzl-Mielec M-18A, N6872, owned by American & European Aircraft Sales and operated by ASAP Airspray, under Title 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Sinton, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local work use flight and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed the San Patricio County Airport about 10 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone interview, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported servicing the airplane with 190 gallons of fuel and the hopper with water. A GPS unit had been installed on the aircraft and the pilot was practicing with the unit prior to beginning his summer spraying season for hire by Burkett Flying Service at Sinton. The pilot had completed several practice sessions that included flying the airplane back and forth to the airport where he talked with the GPS manufacturer's representative about the utilization of the unit. At the last departure, the pilot recalled that the fuel gauges indicated 1/4 full for each tank, which was enough fuel for 30 minutes of flying. The pilot further stated that the fuel gauges were accurate. Subsequently, during a swath, the engine lost power and a forced landing was initiated to a soft field. During the landing roll the airplane flipped over and came to rest inverted. Structural damage occurred to the propeller, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported that workers in the field stated that "one of the fuel caps was off" the fuel tank. The FAA inspectors examined the site and found only one of the two fuel filler caps. Both of the fuel filler points were open; however, there did not "appeared" to be any major fuel spillage under the wings at the fuel filler points when the airplane was "put back onto it's landing gear." Fuel flowed from the low point fuel drains, the fuel filter strainer bleed valve had a positive pressure, and the fuel filter was not contaminated. During an on site examination, a mechanic found that the engine driven pump had failed; however, the reason for the pump failure was not determined. The pump was replaced and the engine operated at full power without discrepancies. The mechanic repaired the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and propeller prior to the pilot flying the airplane from the field. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6872](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6872-2015-05-13), registration cancelled 2015-05-13, S/N 1Z019-05, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Pzl-Mielec M-18A - 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: 1Z019-05 - Airframe hours: 390 - Engines: PEZETEL ASZ-621R 975 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Miroslav Vucetic, doing business as Asap Airspray - Registered owner: American & European Acft.Sales - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 21, 1997, 6 hours before - Departed: T69 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 8,800 total, 530 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 20 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19970413005849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970413005849A), Apr 13, 1997: Wsk M18A, Sinton, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft practicing aerial application, engine quit and it crash landed in a field. (.4)during a forced landing, following a total loss of engine power, the… 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.