# NTSB WPR09CA358: Wsk-Pzl Meilec PZL M18B, N7813T, Rockland, ID, July 20, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 20, 2009, 06:15 local (12:15 UTC) - Place: Rockland, ID - Coordinates: 42.555278, -112.904998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5553&lon=-112.9050&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 October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74330 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA358 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74330/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74330 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA358 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during an aerial application reversal turn. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Turbulence: terrain induced turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Wsk-Pzl Meilec PZL M18B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010/cases.md?model=9810125), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010/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 Meilec PZL M18B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=9810125), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Wsk-Pzl Meilec PZL M18B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9810125), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Wsk-Pzl Meilec PZL M18B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=9810125), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis During an agricultural aerial application flight near hilly terrain, the pilot pulled up at the end of an application run in order to execute his reversal turn. During the pull-up/turn sequence, the airplane encountered a localized wind shear, which resulted in the airplane's nose dropping down and to the right. Although the pilot attempted a recovery, he did not have enough altitude to do so, and therefore the airplane impacted the terrain. The pilot reported that there was no indication of problems with the flight controls or the engine. The impact sequence resulted in substantial damage to both the fuselage and the wings. ## Factual narrative During an agricultural aerial application flight near hilly terrain, the pilot pulled up at the end of an application run in order to execute his reversal turn. During the pull-up/turn sequence, the airplane encountered a localized wind shear, which resulted in the airplane's nose dropping down and to the right. Although the pilot attempted a recovery, he did not have enough altitude to do so, and therefore the airplane impacted the terrain. The pilot reported that there was no indication of problems with the flight controls or the engine. The impact sequence resulted in substantial damage to both the fuselage and the wings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7813T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7813T-2017-06-01), registration cancelled 2017-06-01, S/N 1Z026-27, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WSK-PZL MEILEC PZL M18B - Registry model: [Wsk-Pzl Meilec PZL M18B](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-meilec-pzl-m18b) (registry code 9810125) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01517, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1Z026-27 - Engines: AIRESEARCH TPE331 SERIES 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Agrijet Inc - Registered owner: Agrijet Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: U36, Aberdeen, ID - Destination: U36, Aberdeen, ID ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 14,000 total, 800 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - 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 20090720012869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090720012869A), Jul 20, 2009: Wsk PZLM18B, Malad City, ID, Destroyed. (-23) N7813T was destroyed when it impacted the ground while conducting agricultural operations. The pilot was making fertilizer drops to the wheat field… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 11, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74330. 412 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 412 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318003&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.