# NTSB SEA08CA168: WSL PZL Mielec, N81541, Caldwell, ID, July 29, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 29, 2008, 06:44 local (12:44 UTC) - Place: Caldwell, ID - Coordinates: 43.586944, -116.459724 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5869&lon=-116.4597&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminisration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68536 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68536/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA168 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was a vehicle. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=9810103), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=9810103), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=9810103), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=9810103), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=9810103), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that he discussed the accident with the pilot. The pilot indicated to the FAA inspector that he was conducting aerial application operations. He was flying over the field and going to pass below a power line. As he neared the power line, he noticed a vehicle on the road. The pilot gained altitude in order to provide separation between the airplane and the vehicle. As the airplane gained altitude, it collided with the power lines. The airplane then descended into the terrain. There were no mechanical anomalies reported with the airplane. At the time of this report, the pilot did not submit NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the Pilot Operator Report. ## Factual narrative The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that he discussed the accident with the pilot. The pilot indicated to the FAA inspector that he was conducting aerial application operations. He was flying over the field and going to pass below a power line. As he neared the power line, he noticed a vehicle on the road. The pilot gained altitude in order to provide separation between the airplane and the vehicle. As the airplane gained altitude, it collided with the power lines. The airplane then descended into the terrain. There were no mechanical anomalies reported with the airplane. At the time of this report, the pilot did not submit NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the Pilot Operator Report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81541](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81541-2013-09-12), registration cancelled 2013-09-12, S/N 1Z020-06 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WSL PZL Mielec - 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: 1Z020-06 - Engines: Garrett TPE-731 turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Valley Air Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: ID00, Caldwell, ID - Destination: ID00, Caldwell, ID ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 14,360 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 125 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KEUL ## 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 20080729841599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080729841599A), Jul 29, 2008: Wsk M18A, Caldwell, ID, Destroyed. (-23) On July 29, 2008 a M-18A (dromader) s/n 1Z020-06, N81541 hit the power lines south west of Caldwell Idaho running east/west of substation on the deer… 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.