# NTSB LAX96LA113: Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18-A, N92640, Blythe, CA, February 16, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 15, 1996, 17:00 local (Feb 16, 1996, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Blythe, CA - Coordinates: 33.750541, -114.50962 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7505&lon=-114.5096&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 31, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29377 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29377/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA113 ## Probable cause the pilot's premature lift-off and subsequent loss of control due to his failure to monitor the airspeed indicator during the takeoff roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - airspeed indicator - not used, pilot in command (cause) - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - ditch - landing gear,main gear - sheared ## Analysis The pilot attempted a takeoff with a full load of chemical and water from a 2,500-foot dirt strip. The aircraft did not get airborne, veered off to the right side of the runway, collided with a canal, and then bounced over the canal and collided with the ground where the gear separated from the aircraft. The pilot indicated that the engine tachometer and manifold pressure were in the normal ranges and that the airplane just wouldn't lift off. He stated that he didn't look at the airspeed indicator during the takeoff. There were no mechanical problems reported. ## Factual narrative On February 15, 1996, at 1700 hours Pacific standard time, a WSK PZL Mielec M-18-A, N92640, an aerial application spray aircraft, collided with the terrain during an attempted takeoff from a 2,500-foot-long dirt strip. The operation was under 14 CFR Part 137 when the accident occurred. The aircraft was destroyed and the commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time. The pilot stated that the tachometer and manifold gauges were in the normal ranges and that he did not look at the airspeed indicator prior to takeoff. He said the aircraft just wouldn't lift-off. The aircraft veered off to the right side of the runway and collided with a canal. It then bounced to the other side, where the landing gear sheared off the aircraft. The aircraft was loaded with about 2,800 pounds of chemical and water, which is a normal load according to the operator. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the aircraft prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N92640](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N92640-2022-05-11), registration cancelled 2022-05-11, S/N 1Z025-22 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18-A - 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: 1Z025-22 - Airframe hours: 58 - Engines: Pzl-Kalisz ASZ62IK 987 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Farmers Aerial Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 1995, 58 hours before - Departed: FARM STRIP, CA - Airport: Dirt Strip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 10,000 total, 35 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 25 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 19960215002109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960215002109A), Feb 15, 1996: Wsk M18DROMADER, Blythe, CA, Destroyed. Unable lift on takeoff. Veered off runway. Struck a canal bounced to other side. Normal 2800LBS chemical and water. ## Other investigations on N92640 (2) 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 CEN11LA512](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA512), Jul 25, 2011: WSK PZL Mielec M-18A (N92640), Anderson, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The fatigue failure of the propeller governor speeder spring, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to control engine output power. - [NTSB CEN10CA406](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA406), Jul 10, 2010: WSK PZL Mielec M-18A (N92640), Muncie, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to see and avoid the power line during an aerial application flight. 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.