# NTSB FTW98LA179: Wsk Pzl Mielec PZL-M-18, N7046Y, Carlisle, AR, April 10, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 10, 1998, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Carlisle, AR - Coordinates: 34.779407, -91.739822 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7794&lon=-91.7398&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20576 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20576/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA179 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight and inflight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the lost of engine power. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application - fluid,fuel - exhaustion - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis While climbing for the turn-around maneuver during an aerial application, the engine began to lose power. Despite his efforts during using the wobble pump, the engine lost power. A forced landing was performed to a plowed, soft field. The airplane nosed over during the landing. The pilot reported that the fuel gages indicated over 1/2 at the time of departure, and slightly over 1/4 full when the engine lost power. Examination of the fuel tank revealed readings representative of 'empty.' Inspection of the fuel tanks did not reveal any fuel leakage or spillage. ## Factual narrative On April 10, 1998, at 0800 central daylight time, a WSK-PZL-Mielec PZL-M-18 agricultural airplane, N7046Y, nosed over during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Carlisle, Arkansas. The airplane was operated by Almond Aviation, Carlisle, Arkansas, under Title 14 CFR Part 137. The airline transport rated pilot received minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed the Carlisle Municipal Airport at 0740. During an interview, conducted by the FAA inspector, the pilot reported that this was the second aerial application flight for the day and he was spraying fungicide on the wheat fields. During the pull up of the airplane for the turn around maneuver, the engine began to cut out and using the wobble pump did not restore engine power. During the forced landing in a plowed field with soft ground, the airplane rolled about 400 feet before it flipped over to the inverted position. The FAA inspector and the operator examined the airplane at the site. Structural damage occurred to the cockpit, propeller blades, engine mounts, elevators, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. Flight control continuity was confirmed. There was no physical evidence of fuel leakage or spillage. The FAA inspector stated that the fuel tank reading "indications represented empty tanks." The operator stated that he determined the "aircraft ran out of fuel." On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) the pilot stated that the fuel gauges indicated 1/2 full at the time of departure. At the time when the fuel gauges were indicating slightly over 1/4 full, engine failure occurred. During the forced landing to a plowed open field, the airplane rolled about 50 yards before the tires began sinking into the soft ground. The airplane nosed over, landed upside down, and slid backwards about 20 feet before stopping. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7046Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7046Y-2004-11-05), registration cancelled 2004-11-05, S/N 1Z013-47, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Wsk Pzl Mielec PZL-M-18 - Registry model: [Wsk-Pzl-Mielec PZL-M-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-mielec-pzl-m-18) (registry code 9810102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1Z013-47 - Airframe hours: 5864 - Engines: Pzl-Kalisz ASZ-62IR-M18 967 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: John A. Almond, Sr - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 1998, 112 hours before - Departed: 4M3 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,727 total, 560 in this make and model, 4,648 as pilot in command, 206 in the last 90 days, 68 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LIT, 25 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 19980410006529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980410006529A), Apr 10, 1998: Wsk PZLM18, Carlisle, AR, Substantial damage. Acft was involved in a aerial application when the engine quit. Acft rolled and crashed in a field. Carlisle, AR. (.4)while climbing for the turn-around… 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.