# NTSB LAX89DVA02: WSK PZL Mielec PZL-M-18, N4206A, Mendota, CA, October 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1988, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Mendota, CA
- Coordinates: 36.67094, -120.450561 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6709&lon=-120.4506&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 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26149
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DVA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26149/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DVA02

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff
  - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff

## Analysis

ON TAKEOFF FOR AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO CLEAR AN AGRICULTURAL BERM 300 FT BEYOND THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOADED WITH 500 GALLONS OF SODIUM CHLORATE AND THAT HE SHOULD HAVE LIMITED THE LOAD FOR THE CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE DEPARTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4206A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4206A-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 1Z005-06, built 1980 (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: [Wsk-Pzl PZL AI-14 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wsk-pzl-pzl-ai-14-series) (registry code 67202, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1200506
- Airframe hours: 1219
- Engines: PZL Mielec ASZ621R-M18 967 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Donovan Dusters
- Registered owner: Donovan Dusters
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1988, 50 hours before
- Airport: Ag Strip, runway 36, 1,980 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 5,289 total, 220 in this make and model, 5,289 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19881021048679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881021048679A), Oct 21, 1988: Wsk PZLM18, Mendota, CA, Substantial damage. Short runway. Struck mound off end of runway on takeoff with 500 lbs crop dusting load. Nosed over.

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.

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