Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A N22524

Summary

On 28 April 1999 at about 13:30 local time, a Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A registered N22524 was involved in an accident near Hickory Ridge, Arkansas, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 April 1999 at 13:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Hickory Ridge, Arkansas, United States

Nearest airport

Cartillar (NONE)

Coordinates

35.4009, -90.9908

Aircraft

Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A

Registration

N22524

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW99LA124

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain minimum required airspeed for flight, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight originated from a private airstrip to dispense a half load of the chemical Prowl to a 40-acre field. According to a witness, the airplane lifted off of the ground and 'appeared to be in normal flight when the nose started to rise.' The airplane continued to climb to about 350 feet, 'stalled' and started a spin to the left. At this time, the aircraft 'fell straight down' and impacted the ground in a 'slight nose down and left wing down' attitude. Examination of the wreckage revealed the throttle lever was found in the full forward (open) position, and the propeller lever was found in the full aft (feather) position. Continuity was established to all flight controls. The pilot, who sustained serious injuries, was not using his shoulder harness, and he was not wearing a helmet.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.