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August 4, 2018 · Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A · N851EJ

Dansville, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 4, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Dansville, NY
Aircraft
Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A
Tail Number
N851EJ
Operator
Jersey Devil Dusters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA18CA502

The pilot reported that he was performing an agricultural application flight to a corn field, which had a tree line running west to east on the north side of the field and another tree line running north to south on the east end of the field. He was making application passes from east to west and started at the south side of the field progressing northward toward the tree line with each pass. He added that he noticed that the wind speed increased to about 10 to 12 mph. During the second to last spray pass, while heading west, he came over the east end tree line and descended close to the corn. About 300 ft into the field, the airplane began to descend rapidly, and he pitched the airplane's nose up. He added that the descent continued and that the airplane began to lose airspeed. The landing gear struck the corn, and the airplane impacted terrain and came to rest inverted. The pilot added that he believed a combination of descending air that rolled over the north line of trees, wind shear, the low-altitude flying, and reduced margin of error for the proper application of pesticide caused the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A weather station, located about 3 miles northeast of the accident site reported, about the time of the accident, temperature 85.3°F, dew point 68.3°F, and wind from 293° at 6 mph, gusting to 8 mph.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that he was performing an aerial application flight to a corn field which had a tree line running west to east on the north side of the field and another tree line running north to south on the east end of the field. He was making application passes from east to west and started at the south side of the field progressing northward toward the tree line with each pass. He added that he noticed that the wind speeds increased, to about 10 to 12 mph. During the second to last spray pass, while heading west, he came over the east end tree line and descended to 5 to 10 ft above the crop. About 300 ft into the field, the airplane began to descend rapidly, and he pitched the nose of the airplane up. He added that the descent rate continued, and the airplane began to lose airspeed. The landing gear struck the corn, the airplane impacted terrain and came to rest inverted. The pilot added that he believed a combination of descending air that rolled over the north line of trees, wind shear, and the low altitude flying, and reduced margin of error for the proper application of pesticide caused the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A weather station, located about 3 miles to the northeast of the accident site, about the time of the accident, reported temperature 85.3°F, dew point 68.3°F, and wind from 293° at 6 mph, gusting to 8 mph.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWsk Pzl Mielec M-18A
Tail NumberN851EJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJersey Devil Dusters
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsWsk-Pzl · ASZ-62IR-M18 · Reciprocating · 980
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.10 inHg
Observation Time17:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data