# NTSB SEA92LA221: WSK PZL Mielec PZL-M-18, N4685R, Spangle, WA, June 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1992, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Spangle, WA
- Coordinates: 47.440887, -117.350074 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4409&lon=-117.3501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42916
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42916/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA221

## Probable cause

ALTITUDE WAS NOT ATTAINED. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: LOAD JETTISON WAS NOT POSSIBLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spray/dusting equipment - inoperative
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

AT THE BEGINNING OF AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE OWNER OF THE AIRPLANE REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS LOADED WITH APPROX 300 GALLONS OF CHEMICAL. AFTER THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF OF THE GRAVEL RUNWAY, THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT GAIN ALTITUDE. THE PILOT FLEW THE AIRPLANE IN GROUND EFFECT OVER A DITCH AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND CONTINUED FOR A FORCED LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO JETTISON THE LOAD; HOWEVER, DUE TO A CLOGGED NOZZLE, THE LOAD COULD NOT BE DUMPED. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE ROUGH TERRAIN. THE OWNER HAD THE ENGINE INSPECTED AND REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4685R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4685R-1999-06-15), registration cancelled 1999-06-15, S/N 1Z012-09 (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: 1Z012-09
- Engines: PZL-KALISZ ASZ-621R 986 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: A-1 Aviation Inc.
- Registered owner: A-1 Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000, 40 hours before
- Airport: Spangle

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 9,000 total, 10 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 50 °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 19920606045999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920606045999A), Jun 6, 1992: Wsk M18DROMADER, Spangle, WA, Substantial damage. Unable to climb out of ground effect with 300 lbs chemical on board. Cleared a ditch. Settled into rough terrain.

## Other investigations on N4685R (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 SEA94LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA175), Jul 9, 1994: Pezetel M-18  Dromader (N4685R), Plymouth, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE RUDDER BEING JAMMED IN ALMOST THE FULL LEFT POSITION.
- [NTSB FTW88DRD07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRD07), Jun 7, 1988: Pezetel M-18 (N4685R), Mer Rouge, LA, 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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