# NTSB SEA03CA144: WSK PZL Mielec PZL-M-18, N2709Q, Burley, ID, July 21, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 20, 2003, 21:15 local (Jul 21, 2003, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Burley, ID
- Coordinates: 42.543056, -113.772224
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5431&lon=-113.7722&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57527
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03CA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57527/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03CA144

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to remove the elevator gust lock prior to flight.  Factors include the pilot's inadequate preflight.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - elevator - restricted
  - flight control,gust lock - not removed (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

In a written statement, the commercial pilot reported that he inadvertently left the elevator control lock installed.  He reported that he had aileron and rudder control, but the only means of controlling the airplane's pitch was via the elevator trim, which was limited.  He further stated that he was unable to lower the airplane's nose and that after initiating a turn to the left, the airplane's nose "fell through."  Shortly after initiating the turn, the airplane impacted terrain beyond the departure end of the runway.

## Factual narrative

On July 20, 2003, about 2115 mountain daylight time, a restricted category WSK-PZL-MIELEC, PZL-M-18 (Dromader), N2709Q, crashed shortly after take-off at Burley Municipal Airport, Burley, Idaho. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was being operated in visual meteorological flight conditions and no flight plan was filed for the local post maintenance flight.  Impact forces and post crash fire destroyed the aircraft.  The commercial rated pilot sustained minor injuries.

In a written statement dated July 29, the pilot reported that he "inadvertently left the elevator control lock on [installed]..." He reported that he had aileron and rudder control, but the only means of controlling the airplane's pitch was via the elevator trim, which was limited.  He further stated that he was unable to lower the airplane's nose and that after initiating a turn to the left, the airplane's nose "fell through."  Shortly after initiating the turn, the airplane impacted terrain beyond the departure end of the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2709Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2709Q-2004-12-09), registration cancelled 2004-12-09, S/N 1Z008-01, built 1981 (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)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1Z008-01
- Engines: Lycoming T-53 turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: A-1 Aviation Inc
- Registered owner: A-1 Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: BYI, Burley, ID
- Destination: BYI, Burley, ID
- Airport: BYI, Burley Muni, runway 02

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 9,000 total, 2,550 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20030720015809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030720015809A), Jul 20, 2003: Wsk PZLM18, Burley, ID, Destroyed. (-23) On takeoff, aircraft pitched up to an excessive nose high attitude, then hit the ground hard, skidded to a stop and burst into flames. The pilot stated…

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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