# NTSB LAX95LA283: PZL-Mielec PZL-M-18, N6657C, Sacaton, AZ, August 9, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1995, 05:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Sacaton, AZ
- Location: 33.0775° N, 111.7629° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sacaton, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0775&lon=-111.7629&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 30, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29176
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA283
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29176/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA283

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power due to a decoupling of the accessory drive that runs the high pressure engine-driven fuel pump.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - accessory drive assy,drive gear - disconnected (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A POWER SURGE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT.  HE MADE A FORCED LANDING INTO A DRY RIVER BED.  EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A DECOUPLING OF THE ACCESSORY DRIVE THAT RUNS THE HIGH PRESSURE ENGINE-DRIVEN FUEL PUMP.

## Factual narrative

On August 9, 1995, at 0500 hours mountain standard time, the pilot of a Mielec WSK-PZL-M-18 aircraft, N6657C, experienced a power surge and subsequent loss of engine power during a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight near Sacaton, Arizona.  The pilot made a forced landing in a riverbed.  The aircraft was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time.  The aircraft departed from a local agricultural strip at 0415 hours.

The inspection of the engine by the FAA revealed a decoupling of the accessory drive that runs the high pressure engine-driven fuel pump.  The engine had a total time of 6,307 hours and 164 hours since an overhaul.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6657C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6657C-2004-10-04), registration cancelled 2004-10-04, S/N 1Z022-09, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: 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: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1Z022-09
- Airframe hours: 649
- Engines: P&W PT6A 1170 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: John L. Goodwin, doing business as Custom Farm Service Of Arizona
- Registered owner: Susan Goodwin Trustee
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1995, 164 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 18,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 17,900 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19950809023819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950809023819A), Aug 9, 1995: Wsk PZLM18, Sacaton, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine surge and power loss on spray run. Force landed. Accessory drive gear that runs fuel pump uncoupled.

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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