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April 9, 1995 · Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A Dromadier M-18A DROM · N5277Z

Pine Bluff, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 9, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Pine Bluff, AR
Aircraft
Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A Dromadier M-18A DROM
Tail Number
N5277Z
Operator
Riddell Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW95LA162

WHILE MANEUVERING TO DUMP WATER ON A FIRE, POWER WAS REDUCED TO DESCEND TO 100 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL). WHEN THROTTLE WAS INCREASED TO LEVEL OFF, THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. THE PILOT SWITCHED HANDS ON THE CONTROL STICK TO PUMP THE AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. HE THEN SWITCHED HIS HANDS BACK IN AN ATTEMPT TO ACTIVATE THE DUMP LEVER AND AIRCRAFT CONTROL WAS LOST. THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED BY A POST IMPACT FIRE. THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE OPERATOR REPORTED FINDING WOOD 'CUT BY THE PROPELLER' AT THE ACCIDENT SITE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN MINIMUM REQUIRED AIRSPEED FOR FLIGHT, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S DIVERTED ATTENTION.

Full Narrative

On April 9, 1995, at 1415 central daylight time, a WSK PZL MIELEC M-18A Dromadier, N5277Z was destroyed while maneuvering near Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the fire fighting flight. During a telephone interview with the investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported the information in this paragraph. While over-flying the fire on a heading of 330 degrees, approximately 1000 feet mean sea level (MSL), he turned right to a heading of 180 degrees, and reduced power to descend. At approximately 100 feet above ground level (AGL), throttle was increased to level off and the engine did not respond. He switched hands on the control stick to pump the auxiliary fuel pump, which is located on the right side of the cockpit; however, the engine did not respond. He then switched his hands back in an attempt to activate the dump lever, which is located on the left side of the cockpit, to dump his load of water. Subsequently, he "stalled" the airplane and it began to "spin." A witness in a spotter airplane reported observing the airplane start a slow turn to the southwest. He "looked at the fire and when he looked back at the tanker, it was in a slow roll to the left, headed to the north. The plane made two complete rolls before striking the ground at about a 45 degree to 60 degree angle." During a telephone interview with the investigator-in-charge, the operator reported that while at the accident site, he observed "wood that was cut by the propeller." The airplane was destroyed by a post impact fire.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWsk Pzl Mielec M-18A Dromadier M-18A DROM
Tail NumberN5277Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRiddell Aviation
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPzl-Kalisz · AS621R-M18 · Reciprocating · 967
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 15 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data