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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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November 22, 2002 · Wsk Pzl Mielec M18A · N6288M

Votaw, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 22, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Votaw, TX
Aircraft
Wsk Pzl Mielec M18A
Tail Number
N6288M
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW03LA047

After making one pass across the field and beginning a turn back to the field, the engine went to idle power. The pilot attempted to land on a highway, but due to loss of airspeed he chose to land straight ahead in a field of small pine trees. The airplane came to rest in an upright position, and no postimpact fire ensued. An examination of the engine failed to reveal any anomalies which would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power for undertermined reasons. Contributing factors included the unsuitable terrain for the forced landing and the lack of airspeed.

Full Narrative

On November 22, 2002, approximately 0900 central standard time, a WSK PZL Mielec M18A single-engine agricultural airplane, was substantially damaged following a forced landing after experiencing a partial loss of engine power near Votaw, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by Wakefield Aircraft LLC, of Cooperstown, North Dakota. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The airplane departed a private grass airstrip at Wildwood Resort, Texas, at 0845. According to the Pilot/Operator Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that after making one pass across the field he pulled up to make a "turn-around" when the engine went to idle power. The pilot stated that he dumped the remaining fertilizer and attempted to turn toward a highway to land, but "I did not have enough airspeed. I opted to land straight ahead in a field of small pine trees." The airplane impacted trees and came to rest in an upright position. There was no postimpact fire, and the pilot was not injured. The pilot also reported that approximately 30 minutes prior to departure he conducted a preflight check of the airplane. The pilot reported that subtantial damage to both wing spars was a result of impact damage with the pine trees. Both horizontal stabilizers were damaged, all propeller blades exhibited bending and twisting deformation, and the propeller spinner was damaged. On January 10, 2003, Turbines Inc., of Terre Haute, Indiana, disassembled and inspected the airplane's engine, PT6A-65B PCE 32351. The examination failed to reveal any anomalies which would have precluded normal operation of the engine.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWsk Pzl Mielec M18A
Tail NumberN6288M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · PT6A-65B · Turboprop · 967
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 8 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data