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July 3, 2013 · Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18B · N7643J

Caldwell, ID

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 3, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Caldwell, ID
Aircraft
Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18B (1984)
Tail Number
N7643J
Operator
Valley Air Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR13LA308

The pilot reported that, when he applied power for takeoff on an aerial application flight, the airplane seemed to accelerate normally until the tailwheel lifted off the ground. He adjusted the power lever forward, but the torque did not seem to increase. The pilot stated that, at that point, it was "unlikely" that the airplane would lift off the ground before it reached the end of the runway but that it was "too late to abort" the takeoff. The pilot advanced the power lever full forward and held it there. He then jettisoned the applicant load and simultaneously pulled back on the control stick. The main landing gear wheels lifted off the ground but the tailwheel did not. The airplane subsequently collided with a fence and came to rest in a river. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. An 8-knot tailwind existed at the time of the takeoff, which most likely resulted in the airplane's performance deficiency. The pilot further reported that "a more prompt recognition of the problem and an earlier decision to dump the load [of applicant] may possibly have prevented the aircraft from hitting the fence."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s improper decision to continue the takeoff with a tailwind after he recognized a performance problem with the airplane and his delayed action to dump the chemical load.

Full Narrative

On July 3, 2013, about 0605 mountain daylight time, a WSK PZL Mielec M-18B (turbine-powered Dromader), N7643J, was substantially damaged during takeoff at Hubler Field Airport, Caldwell, Idaho. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. Valley Air Service, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight, which was originating at the time of the accident. A flight plan had not been filed. The pilot stated that this was his first flight for the day, and he had approximately 490 gallons of applicant and 120 gallons of fuel on board. He taxied to the end of runway 29, a 2,800-foot-long runway and applied power for takeoff. The pilot said the airplane appeared to accelerate normally until the tail wheel came up and then the airplane's acceleration did not seem normal. He adjusted the power lever forward a bit, but the torque did not seem to increase. As he reached the end of the runway, he realized that he would not make it off the ground and that it was too late to abort. The pilot advanced the power lever all the way forward but the torque indication was only in the 80's percentile range. He pulled back on the control stick, and the main wheels left the ground, but the tail wheel felt like it was again on the ground. The pilot jettisoned the applicant load, but the airplane struck a fence in a nose high attitude approximately 100 feet from the end of the runway. The airplane tumbled and came to rest in a river approximately 350 feet from the fence. The airplane's turbine engine separated from the airframe, and both wings exhibited aft accordion leading edge crushing. The pilot stated that "a more prompt recognition of the problem and an earlier decision to dump the load [of applicant] may possibly have prevented the aircraft from hitting the fence." The pilot reported that when he arrived at the airport at 0500 the wind was light and variable. At 0615 the reported wind at Caldwell Industrial Airport, Caldwell, located 3 nautical miles from the accident site was wind from 110 degrees at 8 knots. During the postaccident examination, the Garrett AiResearch TPE331 turboshaft engine was removed from the accident scene and shipped to Honeywell Aerospace, Phoenix, Arizona. On August 1, 2013, a manufacturer's representative and a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector witnessed the disassembly of the engine. Additionally, the fuel control unit (FCU), propeller governor and P2T2 sensor were sent to Woodward, Inc., Rockford, Illinois, for examination under the supervision of an FAA inspector. At the conclusion of the examinations, no mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:05 PDT
Nearest AirportHubler Field Airport (0nm)
Runway28
Runway Length2800 ft
Runway Width20 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWsk Pzl Mielec M-18B
Tail NumberN7643J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorValley Air Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett Airesearch · TPE331 · Turboprop · 940
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time12:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data