# NTSB SEA02LA065: WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, N81705, Rockford, WA, April 8, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 8, 2002, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Rockford, WA - Coordinates: 47.46389, -117.133331 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4639&lon=-117.1333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 8, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54491 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA02LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54491/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54491 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA065 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning/decision to continue the takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the wind gusts. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - ground - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - Nose over, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff from a private airstrip, everything was normal until the aircraft lifted off and the aircraft was not climbing as normal. The aircraft flew another 100 yards and then settled to the ground. The propeller contacted the ground, the engine separated from the firewall and the aircraft nosed over. The pilot reported no mechanical failure or malfunction with the aircraft at the time of the accident. After the accident, witnesses indicated that there was a gust of wind that occurred at the end of the takeoff run. ## Factual narrative On April 8, 2002, approximately 0945 Pacific daylight time, a WSK-PZL Mielec M-18A agricultural aircraft, N81705, registered to A-1 Aviation Inc. of Fairfield, Washington, and being flown by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during the takeoff from a private airstrip 6 miles southeast of Rockford, Washington. The pilot was seriously injured in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local 14 CFR 137 agricultural aerial application flight. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he had been operating from this airstrip for several days for the aerial application flights dispensing dry fertilizer on winter wheat in the local area. On the day of the accident, this was his fifth load of the day. The airstrip was described as a "one-way" strip landing to the south and taking off to the north. After loading the aircraft, the pilot taxied the aircraft to the south end and conducted his normal pre-takeoff cockpit checks. The pilot noted that the wind had started to change directions and was now blowing from the south at three to five mph. The takeoff roll was begun and the tail wheel started to lift off the surface. The pilot stated that everything was normal until the aircraft lifted off and he "knew that something was different and I didn't have enough lift." The aircraft flew approximately 100 yards and then settled to the ground. The propeller contacted the ground, the engine separated from the firewall and the aircraft nosed over. The pilot reported that the aircraft was loaded with 100 gallons of fuel (half tanks) and approximately the same amount of fertilizer that he had been using on previous flights. The pilot reported no mechanical failure or malfunction with the aircraft at the time of the accident. After the accident, witnesses indicated that there was a gust of wind that occurred at the end of the take-off run. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81705](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81705-2017-05-31), registration cancelled 2017-05-31, S/N 1Z020-17 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WSK PZL Mielec M-18A - Registry model: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-mielec-m-18a) (registry code 9810103) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1Z020-17 - Engines: PZL WSK 621R 960 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: A-1 Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Rockford, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 9, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 2,737 total, 339 in this make and model, 2,716 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °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 20020408005569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020408005569A), Apr 8, 2002: Wsk PZLM18, No damage. (-23)N81705, a M-18 dromader was destroyed when it impacted terrain immediately after takeoff from an airfield near rockford, Washington. The commercial pilot… ## Other investigations on N81705 (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 WPR09CA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA041), Nov 8, 2008: WSK PZL Mielec M-18A (N81705), Mountain Home, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, and, his failure to properly secure the aircraft as he left the cockpit with the engine operating, which resulted in the unoccupied airplane inadvertently… - [NTSB SEA94LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA201), Jul 30, 1994: WSK PZL Mielec M18S (N81705), Royal City, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. FACTORS INCLUDE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND UNFAVORABLE WINDS. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 23, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54491. 333 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 333 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427442&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.