Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A N92043

Summary

On 8 July 2007 at about 02:16 local time, a Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A registered N92043, operated by U.S. Forest Service, was involved in an accident near Burns, Oregon, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 July 2007 at 02:16

Classification

Accident

Location

Burns, Oregon, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A

Registration

N92043

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

U.S. Forest Service

Operating rule

Public Use

Purpose of flight

Fire Fighting

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Burns → Burns

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX07TA208

1 person had minor injuries.

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane conducted three retardant drop missions in support of a wild fire suppression prior to the accident. During the fourth drop while overflying the intended drop zone at 1,500 feet above ground level, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine, but was not successful. Subsequently, the pilot jettisoned the retardant load, made an emergency radio call, and attempted a forced landing to a field with high vegetation and uneven terrain. The airplane touched down, skidded approximately 100 feet, and came to rest in an upright attitude. Examination of the fuel system did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the impact with terrain. The engine was operated in a test cell. During the test cell operation, the engine exceeded the 1,000 shaft horsepower rating and was free of surge and operated normally during transient power demands. No pre-existing conditions that would have precluded normal engine operation were noted. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.