# NTSB MKC90LA064: WSK PZL Mielec PZL-M-18, N28625, Elaine, AR, March 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1990, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Elaine, AR
- Coordinates: 34.299224, -90.850341 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2992&lon=-90.8503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34941
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34941/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA064

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE UNFAVORABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS, RUNWAY CONDITION, AND THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIMSELF AND THE AIRCRAFT.

## 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
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM A NARROW 1600 FT STRIP WITH A HEAVY LOAD. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT'S WING STRUCK THE TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT SPUN AROUND & WAS DAMAGED.  THE PILOT SAID THE WEATHER WAS UNSETTLED WITH VARIABLE WINDS FROM 140 TO 170 DEG, GUSTING 20 TO 30 KNOTS. ADDITIONALLY, HE SAID THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A SOFT AREA IN THE RUNWAY THAT CONTRIBUTED TO A LOSS OF FORWARD MOMENTUM. APRX 60 MI WNW AT LITTLE ROCK, THE 1550 WIND WAS FROM 180 DEG AT 10 GUSTING 25 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28625](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28625-1991-05-01), registration cancelled 1991-05-01, S/N 1Z00819 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12008-19
- Engines: PEZETEL ASZ-621R-M-18 967 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Fess Flying Service, Inc
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airport: NONE, Fess Pvt, runway 22, 1,600 × 22 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 14,000 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 13,900 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: LIT, 60 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 19900314018349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900314018349A), Mar 14, 1990: Wsk PZLM18, Elaine, AR, Substantial damage. Dragged a wing on takeoff and aircraft ground looped. Narrow soft strip and gusty crosswind contributed to accident

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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