# NTSB FTW97LA231: Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A, N148RA, Waldenburg, AR, June 20, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 20, 1997, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Waldenburg, AR - Location: 35.5653° N, 90.9346° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Waldenburg, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5653&lon=-90.9346&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20249 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA231 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20249/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA231 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper planning/decision. The short runway and failure to use up to 10 degrees of flaps were related factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - roll/run - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - flaps - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - short runway/landing area (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis During the takeoff roll, the fully loaded agricultural airplane failed to become airborne. Subsequently, it overran the 2,100 foot runway and impacted the lip of a ditch at the end of the runway. Postaccident inspection of the airplane by the operator revealed that the flaps were in the full up position. The operator reported that he normally used flaps for takeoff, and the airplane flight manual indicated that takeoff flap settings of up to 10 degrees were approved for use as conditions required. ## Factual narrative On June 20, 1997, at 1630 central daylight time, a Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A agricultural airplane, N148RA, was destroyed following a runway overrun on takeoff near Waldenburg, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by G & L Aviation of Tuckerman, Arkansas. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 local aerial application flight which was originating at the time of the accident. During a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge and on the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the operator reported that the pilot attempted to takeoff from the 2,100 foot private grass airstrip with a full hopper load of 3,300 pounds of fertilizer and 100 gallons of fuel on board. The operator further reported that "the aircraft failed to become airborne" and impacted the lip of a ditch at the end of the runway. The airplane then became airborne briefly before settling back to the ground and coming to rest approximately 100 yards from the end of the runway. According to the operator, the engine, the propeller, and the tailwheel separated from the fuselage. The main landing gear collapsed. Both wings were buckled, and the fuselage aft of the cockpit was twisted. The operator reported that the right flap was folded under the right wing; however, the left flap sustained only minor damage and appeared to be in the full up position. Regarding the use of flaps on takeoff, the normal procedures section of the PZL M18A "DROMADER" Flight Manual stated the following: "Flaps - EXTENDED as required. Take-off flap extension shall not exceed 10 degrees regardless of the loading or runway condition." The operator reported that he "normally" used flaps for takeoff. ## 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 - 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: 1Z013-21 - Airframe hours: 4167 - Engines: Pezetel ASZ-621R-M18 967 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Leon E. Jacobi, doing business as G & L Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: Leon & Gabriele Jacobi - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 16, 1997, 18 hours before - Airport: NONE, Private, runway 22, 2,100 × ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 12,100 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 12 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: JBR, 21 nm away ## 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 19970620015269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970620015269A), Jun 20, 1997: Mnmite M18*, Grubbs, AR, Destroyed. On take off from dirt strip, loaded with fertilizer, airborne, lost altitude, crashed, landing gear, engines damage (-23) on June 20, 1997, at approximately… ## 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 FTW94LA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA281), Aug 27, 1994: WSK PZL Mielec M-18A Dromader (N148RA), Wheatley, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A CRACKED CYLINDER. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING. 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.