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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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June 23, 1993 · Pzl-Mielec M-18A Dromader M-18A DROM · N116RA

Wheatley, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 23, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Wheatley, AR
Aircraft
Pzl-Mielec M-18A Dromader M-18A DROM
Tail Number
N116RA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW93LA195

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AS THE AIRPLANE REACHED THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP, THE PILOT DUMPED THE LOAD AND ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB. THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE SETTLED TO THE TERRAIN COLLAPSING THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR. THE PILOT HAD BEEN OPERATING AT THE SAME WEIGHTS FROM THE AIRSTRIP ALL DAY. DURING THE DAY, TEMPERATURE INCREASED. FIELD ELEVATION AND DENSITY ALTITUDE WERE 230 AND 2,200 FEET MSL RESPECTIVELY.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE BEYOND ITS TAKEOFF PERFORMANCE LIMITATIONS AND INADVERTENT STALL. A FACTOR WAS HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

Full Narrative

On June 23, 1993, at approximately 1630 central daylight time, a WSK PXL MIELEC, M-18A Dromader, N116RA, sustained substantial damage when the airplane impacted the terrain during takeoff from a private airstrip near Wheatley, Arkansas. The commercial pilot did not sustain injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight. During a telephone interview, conducted by the investigator in charge with the pilot, the following information was revealed. The pilot had been operating the airplane with the same load weights from the grass airstrip throughout the day. During the day, the temperature and winds increased. The pilot reported the winds from the south southeast at 5 knots and gusty with a temperature of 92 degrees Fahrenheit and a high humidity. The pilot further stated that as the airplane reached the end of the runway, he started dumping the load and pulled the airplane off the ground. As the airplane settled and the left wing hit the ground, the left main gear separated from the airframe and the airplane spun around approximately 180 degrees and slid to a stop. The private agricultural airport elevation was 230 feet MSL. Density altitude was approximately 2,200 feet MSL. On the recommendations section of the enclosed pilot report. NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot entered "longer strip or lower tmperature."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway18
Runway Length2500 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPzl-Mielec M-18A Dromader M-18A DROM
Tail NumberN116RA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPezetel · ASZ-621R-M18 · Reciprocating · 967
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind135° @ 5 kt, gusting 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data