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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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NTSB Report

May 8, 2004 · Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18 · N203H

Brinkley, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 8, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Brinkley, AR
Aircraft
Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18
Tail Number
N203H
Operator
Chris Van Houten
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW04LA127

The 6,500-hour commercial pilot flying the radial engine powered agricultural airplane, was taking off from a 1/2-mile long private grass airstrip, loaded with sulfides to spray a local field. As the airplane became airborne, it settled at the departure end of the runway, and impacted a slightly elevated roadway berm which was oriented perpendicular to the departure end of the runway. The pilot reported that he believed that he loaded "too much" sulfides in the hopper, and the airplane "stalled" just after liftoff. According to the operator, the maximum takeoff weight of the airplane was 11,700 pounds (with a STC for a 800-gallon hopper). The pilot stated that he did not know his exact takeoff weight at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilots failure to attain flying airspeed after takeoff. A factor was the overloading of agricultural chemicals that exceeded the airplane's maximum takeoff weight.

Full Narrative

On May 8, 2004, at 1015 central daylight time, a WSK PZL Mielec M-18 single-engine agricultural airplane, N203H, registered to Mid South Dusters of Sherill, Arkansas, and operated by Commercial Agri Aircraft Operators of DeValls Bluff, Arkansas, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground following a loss of control after takeoff from a private grass airstrip near Brinkley, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. During an interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the 6,500-hour pilot stated that he was taking off from a 1/2-mile long private grass airstrip, loaded with sulfides to spray a local field. The airplane became airborne and then settled at the end of the runway, impacting a slightly elevated roadway berm which was oriented perpendicular to the departure end of the runway. After striking the ground, the airplane came to rest in the upright position. The pilot reported that he believed that he loaded "too much" sulfides in the hopper, and the airplane "stalled" just after liftoff. According to the operator, the maximum takeoff weight of the airplane was 11,700 pounds (with a STC for a 800-gallon hopper). The pilot stated that he did not know his exact takeoff weight at the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the left wing spar was bent and the radial engine was partially separated from the airframe.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 CDT
Nearest AirportGibbs Strip (Private) (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWsk Pzl Mielec M-18
Tail NumberN203H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorChris Van Houten
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPzl-Kalisz · ASz-62IR · Reciprocating · 1000
Seats1

People & Injuries

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

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.09 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data