# NTSB SEA01TA152: WSK PZL Mielec M-18 Dromader, N52768, Ukiah, OR, August 16, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report - Date: August 16, 2001, 11:25 local (18:25 UTC) - Place: Ukiah, OR - Coordinates: 45.097778, -118.815277 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0978&lon=-118.8153&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: US Forest Service, FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53060 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA01TA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53060/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01TA152 ## Probable cause An inadequate recovery from a bounced landing and directional control was not maintained during landing. A high flare and a fence were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - flare - high, pilot in command (contributing factor) - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the flare for landing was a little high, and after the aircraft touched down, it bounced then settled to the runway. After touch down, the aircraft veered to the left and the pilot corrected with right rudder and brake application. The aircraft continued to the left toward a hill and rough terrain so he added power, and back pressure on the flight control. When the aircraft lifted off, it started to roll. The pilot reduced power and the right wing contacted the runway surface. The aircraft touched down on the main landing gear and again bounced and started to drift to the right toward a barn. To avoid a collision with the barn, the pilot again added power and started a left turn. At this time the left wing collided with a fence. The aircraft descended to the ground in a nose down attitude. After ground contact, the aircraft spun around twice before coming to rest. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 2001, approximately 1125 Pacific daylight time, a WSK PZL Mielec M-18 Dromader, N52768, registered to Western Pilot Service, and operated by the USDA Forest Service, as a local public use firefighting operation, collided with a fence during landing at a private airstrip located about four miles southeast of Ukiah, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and company visual flight rules flight- following was in effect. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he had completed the retardant drop at the fire site and was returning to the airstrip for another load. The landing was made to the south. The pilot reported that the flare was a little high and after the aircraft touched down, it bounced, then settled to the runway. After touchdown, the aircraft veered to the left and the pilot corrected with right rudder and brake application. The pilot stated that the aircraft continued to the left toward a hill and rough terrain so he added power, and back pressure on the flight control. When the aircraft lifted off it started to roll. The pilot reduced power and the right wing contacted the runway. The aircraft touched down on the main landing gear and again bounced and started to drift to the right toward a barn. To avoid a collision with the barn, the pilot again added power and started a left turn. At this time the left wing collided with a steel gate and fence. The aircraft then descended to the ground in a nose down attitude. After ground contact, the aircraft spun around twice before coming to rest. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident. The black top runway is 5,000 feet in length and 100 feet wide with a rise in the center. The pilot reported that the wind was variable at about 5 mph at the time. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N52768](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52768-2011-02-22), registration cancelled 2011-02-22, S/N 1Z 019-02, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WSK PZL Mielec M-18 Dromader - Registry model: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18 DROMADER](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-mielec-m-18-dromader) (registry code 9810104) (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: 1Z01902 - Engines: Pezetel ASZ-621R 967 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Public use - Operator: USDA Forest Service - Registered owner: Western Pilot Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 13, 2001 - Departed: Ukiah, OR - Destination: Ukiah, OR - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: Cable Creek Ranch ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 10,000 total, 9,800 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 20010816038659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010816038659A), Aug 16, 2001: Wsk M18DROMADER, Ukiah, OR, No damage. (-23) After a left down wind approach from the south, during landing, the aircraft bounced down then veered left, pilot corrected to the right. The aircraft… 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.