# NTSB SEA94LA175: Pezetel M-18 Dromader, N4685R, Plymouth, WA, July 9, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 1994, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Plymouth, WA - Coordinates: 46.000698, -119.300331 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0007&lon=-119.3003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41971 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41971/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA175 ## Probable cause THE RUDDER BEING JAMMED IN ALMOST THE FULL LEFT POSITION. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - flight control,rudder - jammed (cause) ## Analysis WHILE MAKING AN AERIAL APPLICATION, THE PILOT PULLED UP AND INITIATED A LEFT TURN TO ALIGN FOR HIS NEXT RUN. WHILE ROLLING INTO THE TURN, THE PILOT APPLIED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF LEFT RUDDER. AS THE TURN PROGRESSED, THE PILOT INITIATED A DESCENT, AND ATTEMPTED TO ROLL OUT OF THE TURN. AS HE APPLIED RIGHT RUDDER, HE FOUND THAT THE RUDDER HAD JAMMED TO THE LEFT, AND BEING CLOSE TO THE GROUND, HE WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER PRIOR TO THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTING THE TERRAIN. ## Factual narrative On July 9, 1994, at 1530 Pacific daylight time, a Pezetel M- 18 Dromader, N4685R, collided with terrain while maneuvering to make a pass for aerial application on fields 8 miles west of Plymouth, Washington. The airline transport rated pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, received minor injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, as he pulled up to make a left turn, he applied considerable left rudder. As he entered the descending part of the turn, he began to roll out, and attempted to apply right rudder, but the rudder pedals were jammed in almost the full left rudder position. Being low to the ground, the pilot was unable to arrest the descending turn before the aircraft impacted the terrain. Inspection of the rudder and the rudder control system did not reveal the reason why the system jammed. The pilot was sent copies of NTSB Form 6120.1/2 on two separate occasions, but in both instances he elected not to return them. ## 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: PEZETEL M-18 DROMADER (M-18 DROM) - 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: reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Faw Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: S22, HERMISTON, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 10,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 20 statute miles ## 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 19940709018129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940709018129A), Jul 9, 1994: Wsk M18DROMADER, Plymouth, WA, Substantial damage. Lost control during procedure turn around and flew into ground. Blamed jammed rudder. None found. ## 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 SEA92LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA221), Jun 6, 1992: WSK PZL Mielec PZL-M-18 (N4685R), Spangle, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: ALTITUDE WAS NOT ATTAINED. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: LOAD JETTISON WAS NOT POSSIBLE. - [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. --- 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.