# NTSB SEA92LA184: WSK PZL Mielec PZL-M-18, N28951, Mattawa, WA, August 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1992, 18:45 local (Aug 20, 1992, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Mattawa, WA
- Coordinates: 46.800983, -119.15026 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8010&lon=-119.1503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42881
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42881/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA184

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION AS A RESULT OF INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE BY THE OPERATOR. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS SOFT TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

FIFTEEN MINUTES INTO AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AND BACKFIRING. THE PILOT DIVERTED TO A NEARBY AIRSTRIP AND EN ROUTE THE ENGINE CEASED OPERATING. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING THE CONVENTIONALLY GEARED AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER AS IT ROLLED OUT ON SOFT TERRAIN. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. EXAMINATION OF THE MAIN FUEL FILTER REVEALED DEBRIS WITHIN THE FILTER CARTRIDGE AND EVIDENCE OF RUST. LIKEWISE, AN EXAMINATION OF THE CARBURETOR FUEL FILTER DISCLOSED SIMILAR INTERNAL DEBRIS BUILDUP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28951](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28951-1992-12-02), registration cancelled 1992-12-02, S/N 1Z00715 (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: 1Z007-15
- Airframe hours: 2770
- Engines: PZL-Kalisz ASZ 621 RM18 967 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: B & R Aerial Crop Care, Inc.
- Registered owner: Eskildsen, B & N, Mcmillen, W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1992, 264 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 8,905 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 8,905 as pilot in command, 247 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: YKM, 27 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 19920820032099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920820032099A), Aug 20, 1992: Wsk M18DROMADER, Mattawa, WA, Destroyed. Rough engine on spray ops. Diverted airstrip. Engine quit. Nosed over in soft terrain. Rust debris in fuel filter.

## Other investigations on N28951 (1)

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 SEA84LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA087), Apr 16, 1984: PZL-Mielec PZL-M-18 (N28951), Rockford, WA, substantial damage

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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