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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 28, 2001 · Wsk Pzl Mielec PZL M18B · N203MC

Plainview, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 28, 2001
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Plainview, TX
Aircraft
Wsk Pzl Mielec PZL M18B
Tail Number
N203MC
Operator
Kllr Spraying
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW01LA211

The pilot was completing an aerial application to a field when the airplane's left wing struck a standpipe. After the airplane struck the pipe, it traveled to the west approximately 4 miles. The pilot then reported that "he could not hold it anymore", and subsequently, the airplane impacted the terrain. The 30-foot tall standpipe displayed an impact mark approximately 4 feet from the top. The outer 4 1/2 feet of the left wing, outer 1 foot of the left aileron, and red glass from the left navigation light lens, were found in a 300-foot long debris field northwest of the standpipe.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the stand pipe while maneuvering during aerial application.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 28, 2001, at 1620 central daylight time, a PZL Meilec PZL M18B agricultural airplane, N203MC, impacted terrain after striking a standpipe while maneuvering near Plainview, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was owned by Diversified Lenders, Inc. of Lubbock, Texas, and operated by KLLR Spraying Inc., of Clovis, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The flight originated from the Hale County Municipal Airport, Plainview, Texas, at 1407. According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the pilot was completing an aerial application to a field when the airplane's left wing struck a standpipe. After the airplane struck the pipe, it traveled to the west approximately 4 miles. The pilot then reported that "he could not hold it anymore", and subsequently, the airplane impacted the terrain. A witness reported that the airplane was flying to the southwest and low. The airplane banked to the left, then right, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane cartwheeled 1 1/2 times, separated a wing, and came to rest inverted in a field. Additional witnesses observed the airplane after it struck the pipe, in low flight, and then observed it impact the field. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot received his commercial pilot certificate on June 14, 1997. The pilot was issued a second-class medical certificate on June 9, 2000, with no limitations. According to the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), which was completed by the operator, the pilot had accumulated 1,923 total flight hours of which 196 hours were in the accident aircraft make and model. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The 1999-model airplane, serial number 1Z027-12, was registered to the owner on June 15, 2000. A review of the maintenance records revealed that the airplane was last endorsed for an annual inspection on May 16, 2001, at an aircraft total time of 379.66 hours. The PZL Warszawa-Okecie AW-2-30 engine, serial number W538018, was last endorsed for an annual inspection on May 16, 2001, at a engine total time of 379.66 hours. The total time on the aircraft and engine at the time of the accident was not determined. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The FAA inspector stated that the airplane wreckage was located at latitude North 34 degrees 15.2 minutes; longitude West 101 degrees 36.5 minutes. The airplane came to rest inverted on a measured magnetic heading of 185 degrees. The 30-foot tall standpipe, which was located at latitude North 34 degrees 15.7 minutes; longitude 101 degrees 31.0 minutes, displayed an impact mark approximately 4 feet from the top. The outer 4 1/2 feet of the left wing, outer 1 foot of the left aileron, and red glass, consistent with the left navigation light lens, were found in a 300-foot long debris field northwest of the standpipe. PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The autopsy was performed by the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, on September 29, 2001. Toxicological tests performed by the FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and ethanol. Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, and Phenylpropanolamine were detected in the pilot's urine.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:20 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWsk Pzl Mielec PZL M18B
Tail NumberN203MC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorKllr Spraying
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsWsk Pzl Kalis · PZL ASZ-62IR · Reciprocating · 967
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data