# NTSB FTW99LA124: Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A, N22524, Hickory Ridge, AR, April 28, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 28, 1999, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Hickory Ridge, AR - Coordinates: 35.400859, -90.990814 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4009&lon=-90.9908&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46224 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46224/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA124 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain minimum required airspeed for flight, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. ## 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/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The flight originated from a private airstrip to dispense a half load of the chemical Prowl to a 40-acre field. According to a witness, the airplane lifted off of the ground and 'appeared to be in normal flight when the nose started to rise.' The airplane continued to climb to about 350 feet, 'stalled' and started a spin to the left. At this time, the aircraft 'fell straight down' and impacted the ground in a 'slight nose down and left wing down' attitude. Examination of the wreckage revealed the throttle lever was found in the full forward (open) position, and the propeller lever was found in the full aft (feather) position. Continuity was established to all flight controls. The pilot, who sustained serious injuries, was not using his shoulder harness, and he was not wearing a helmet. ## Factual narrative On April 28, 1999, at 0830 central daylight time, a Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A agricultural airplane, N22524, was substantially damaged during terrain impact after takeoff from a private agricultural airstrip near Hickory Ridge, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The aircraft was registered to a private individual and operated by Cartillar Flying Service, Inc., of Hickory Ridge. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the aircraft, sustained serious injuries. The flight was originating from the Cartillar Flying Service airstrip at the time of the accident to dispense a half load of the chemical Prowl to a 40-acre field. The operator, who witnessed the accident, reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that the aircraft made a takeoff to the north. The aircraft lifted off of the ground and "appeared to be in normal flight when the nose started to rise." The airplane continued to climb to about 350 feet, "stalled" and started a spin to the left. At this time, the aircraft "fell straight down" and impacted the ground in a "slight nose down and left wing down" attitude. Examination of the aircraft wreckage by the FAA inspector revealed that the left wing was curled up and aft, and the left horizontal stabilizer was bent upward and partially separated. The fuselage forward of the cockpit was "crushed and broken." The four-blade propeller appeared to be feathered. Two propeller blades were broken off and two blades were curled aft. During the examination of the cockpit, the FAA inspector found the throttle lever in the full forward (open) position, and the propeller lever in the full aft (feather) position. Continuity was established from the cockpit controls to all flight control surfaces. According to the FAA inspector, the pilot was not using his shoulder harness, and he was not wearing a helmet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N22524](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22524-2005-01-20), registration cancelled 2005-01-20, S/N 1Z020-28, built 1989 (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: [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: 1Z020-28 - Airframe hours: 3827 - Engines: P&W PT6A-45R 1197 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: James R. Cartillar - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1999, 27 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, Cartillar, runway 36, 2,800 × 80 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 13,000 total, 2,009 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 225° at 3 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19990428004189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990428004189A), Apr 28, 1999: Wsk M18A, Hickory Ridge, AR, Substantial damage. Acft crashed while on take-of from an ag strip, other circumstances are unknown. (-23)the aircraft departed toward the north from the cartillar airstrip with a… 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.