N22524

On April 28, 1999, at 0830 central daylight time, a Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A agricultural airplane, N22524, was substantially damaged during terrain impact after takeoff from a private agricultural airstrip near Hickory Ridge, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The aircraft was registered to a private individual and operated by Cartillar Flying Service, Inc., of Hickory Ridge. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the aircraft, sustained serious injuries. The flight was originating from the Cartillar Flying Service airstrip at the time of the accident to dispense a half load of the chemical Prowl to a 40-acre field.

The operator, who witnessed the accident, reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that the aircraft made a takeoff to the north. The aircraft 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 aircraft wreckage by the FAA inspector revealed that the left wing was curled up and aft, and the left horizontal stabilizer was bent upward and partially separated. The fuselage forward of the cockpit was "crushed and broken." The four-blade propeller appeared to be feathered. Two propeller blades were broken off and two blades were curled aft. During the examination of the cockpit, the FAA inspector found the throttle lever in the full forward (open) position, and the propeller lever in the full aft (feather) position. Continuity was established from the cockpit controls to all flight control surfaces.

According to the FAA inspector, the pilot was not using his shoulder harness, and he was not wearing a helmet.