# NTSB WPR22LA015: Wsk-Mielec AN-2TD, N857PF, Wilton, CA, October 14, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 14, 2021, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Wilton, CA - Coordinates: 38.38192, -121.22357 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3819&lon=-121.2236&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 104128 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104128/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104128 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA015 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inability to control the airplane’s pitch during departure for reasons that could not be determined because of the extensive fragmentation and thermal damage the airplane sustained in the accident sequence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unknown/Not determined; cases with it: [Wsk-Mielec AN-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000/cases.md?model=9810101), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Wsk-Mielec AN-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=9810101), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Wsk-Mielec AN-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=9810101), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Wsk-Mielec AN-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=9810101), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the departure started normally but that, after becoming airborne, the airplane controls were not responding to his inputs as expected. The airplane continued to pitch up in a nose-high attitude and he was unable to push the control yoke forward, which he described as feeling like he was “stretching” cables with forward pressure. With the airplane’s pitch uncontrollable, he elected to make a rapid maneuver toward an unpopulated area. The airplane descended into trees; after coming to a stop, a fire erupted. A postaccident examination of the flight control system revealed no definitive evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. Because the elevator system was extensively damaged and was partially consumed by fire, the investigation was not able to determine the cause of the pitch control anomaly. The airplane’s weight and center of gravity (CG) could not be confirmed. The burned remains of items found in the airplane could not be identified and the location of those items at impact could not be confirmed. ## Factual narrative On October 14, 2021, about 1600 Pacific daylight time, a WSK Mielec AN-2TD, N857PF, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Wilton, California. The pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries and the other two passengers sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that he configured the airplane for takeoff and had flaps down and the elevator trim was neutral. The departure started normally but, after becoming airborne, the airplane controls were not responding to his inputs as expected. The airplane continued to pitch up in a nose-high attitude and he was unable to push the control yoke forward, which he described as feeling like he was “stretching” cables with forward pressure. The pilot set the electric trim to full nose-down but it had no effect. With the airplane’s pitch uncontrollable, he saw an open area and elected to make a rapid maneuver toward the area. He added full left rudder and aileron and the airplane banked left. The airplane descended into trees; after coming to a stop, a fire erupted. The back door would not open due the deformation of the airframe so he broke a front window. The pilot and passengers all climbed out the window and the airplane continued to burn. There were two witnesses located at the airport that took videos of the airplane departing. One video showed the airplane just prior to the takeoff roll. The tailwheel is positioned backward and, as the airplane starts the roll, the tailwheel swivels and the airplane moves to the right of the runway (see Figure 1 below). Figure 1: The Airplane Starting the Takeoff Roll The airplane then veered to the left of the runway and became airborne shortly thereafter. In the approximate 10 seconds that followed, the airplane pitched up at an increasingly higher and higher angle-of-attack. The airplane then made a sharp left turn and goes behind the trees as it descends (see Figure 2 below). Figure 2: The Airplane Airborne The ground track, ground speed, altitude, angle of attack and roll angle of an airplane that crashed shortly after takeoff were estimated based on a video recorded with a handheld phone. The ground speed of the airplane went as low as 19 knots shortly after it started a left turn and a rapid descent toward ground impact. At that time, the airplane reached its maximum above ground level (AGL) altitude of 170 feet and the angle of attack of its wings was estimated to be 22.5º. Engine speed, estimated via spectrum analysis of sound recorded by two cameras, was 2150 rpm several seconds after liftoff and 2200 rpm when the airplane was already descending toward ground impact. The specified engine speed at takeoff for the WSK Mielec AN-2TD is 2200 rpm. A postaccident examination of the flight control system revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. The elevator system was extensively damaged and was partiallyconsumed by fire. The No. 5 lower pulley gang was found loose in the wreckage with its cover still attached; the No. 5 upper pulley gang had the elevator cables passing through it. The No. 9 pulley gang has an s-hook attached, which appeared to be a tie down for item in the airplane. There were several markings and abrasions on the cable lengths consistent with rubbing or abrasions. The elevator bellcrank remained intact, with all four elevator cables connected to their respective arms. Control continuity was maintained from the bellcrank to the elevator control surfaces. The airplane’s weight and center of gravity (CG) could not be confirmed. The burned remains of items found in the airplane could not be identified and their location at impact could not be confirmed. The pilot estimated that the airplane was loaded about 1,000 pounds below the maximum gross weight. He had it loaded with two coolers, three motorcycles and camping gear. He had strapped all the items in place and did not believe they shifted during rotation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N857PF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N857PF-2022-02-15), registration cancelled 2022-02-15, S/N 1G10857 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WSK-MIELEC AN-2TD - Registry model: [Wsk-Mielec AN-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-mielec-an-2) (registry code 9810101) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1G10857 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 3500 - Engines: ASz ASz-62Ir reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Priority Farms - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 10, 2021, 8 hours before - Destination: Reno, NV - Airport: 3CN7, Alta Mesa Airpark, runway 16/34, 2,600 × 40 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: serious; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 2, 2021; seat: left; flight hours: 9,811 total, 70 in this make and model, 8,737 as pilot in command, 83 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KSAC, 15 nm away - METAR: KSAC 142253Z 33011KT 10SM CLR 25/M03 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP173 T02501028 ## 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 20211014020759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211014020759A), Oct 14, 2021: Wsk-Mielec AN-2, Wilton, CA, Destroyed. On October 14, 2021, about 1617 pacific daylight time, a Wsk-Mielec AN-2, N857PF was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Wilton,… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 19, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104128. 77.7 MB in all. - Video study (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13761641&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wilton_Video_Study_final-Rel.pdf - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 2, PDF, 10 pages, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16094230&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Z%20-%20Attachment%2001%20-%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Records of conversation (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16093967&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Z%20-%20Attachment%2002%20-%20Record%20of%20Conversations-Rel.pdf - Investigation supplemental materials (item 4, PDF, 13 pages, 3 photos, 430 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16094420&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Z%20-%20Attachment%2001%20-%20Examination%20Notes%20Master-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 5, PDF, 13 pages, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16094803&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Z-%20Attachment%2003%20-Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Article about takeoff in an AN-2 (item 6, PDF, 3 pages, 240 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16094410&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Z-%20Attachment%2004%20-Article%20about%20takeoff%20in%20AN2-Rel.pdf - Video 1 (item 7, MP4, 18.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16176183&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=20211014_231510000_iOS_(edited)-Rel.mp4 - Video 2 (item 8, MOV, 49.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16094502&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=IMG_3853-Rel.MOV 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.