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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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September 23, 1993 · Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A Dromader M-18A DROM · N452TC

Frogmore, LA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 23, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Frogmore, LA
Aircraft
Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A Dromader M-18A DROM
Tail Number
N452TC
Operator
Dixie Aero Service
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW93LA263

THE PILOT OF AN AGRICULTURAL AIRPLANE IMPACTED A POWERLINE AND TREES WHILE ON AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT APPROXIMATELY 23 MINUTES AFTER OFFICIAL SUNSET.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH THE POWERLINE. A FACTOR WAS THE DUSK LIGHT CONDITION.

Full Narrative

On September 22, 1993, at approximately 1920 central daylight time, a Melex M-18A Dromader, N452TC, was destroyed during aerial application maneuvering near Frogmore, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight. The operations ground manager reported the aircraft missing at 1920, after the aircraft failed to return from a local aerial application flight at the Hamilton Farms, near Frogmore. After a brief search, the wreckage was located at 1930 in a cultivated field in a remote rural area. There were no witnesses to this accident. The pilot survived the accident and was transported to the regional hospital for treatment, were he was reported in stable condition after surgery. He passed away two days later as result of complications from the injuries sustained. An autopsy and toxicological tests were not requested or performed. The airplane was found in the inverted position with both wings separated from the airframe. Two trees were damaged and power lines were broken. The propeller assembly was found sheared at the propeller flange, with all four blades exhibiting S-bending and torsional twisting. The official sunset on the day of the accident occurred at 1857. The wreckage was released to the owner's representative by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector at the accident site.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:20 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWsk Pzl Mielec M-18A Dromader M-18A DROM
Tail NumberN452TC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDixie Aero Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6-45R · Turboprop · 1173
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind150° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data