N7015N

On June 27, 1997, at 0950, central daylight time, a Pzl Mielec, M-18A, N7015N, operated by Mitchell Flying Service, sustained substantial damage during takeoff when it experienced a loss of power, hit a powerline, and impacted a field. The aircraft was able to become airborne again and returned to land at Manito Mitchell Airport, Manito, Illinois. The 14 CFR Part 137 crop duster had departed the airport on a local aerial application flight. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that he departed runway 22 using 40 inches of manifold pressure. During takeoff climb the engine lost power. As the pilot was attempting to dump the chemical load the engine regained power. The pilot reported that the airplane was too low and it impacted a powerline and then impacted the ground. The impact separated the chemical sprayer from the airplane which dumped the chemical load. The airplane bounced back into the air. The pilot reported that he flew back to land but received confirmation that the landing gear were operable before he landed. He flew for about a total of five minutes before making an uneventful landing. Witnesses reported that the engine sounded fine when it taxiied back to the hangar.

The engine was inspected by an Airworthiness Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration and no anomalies were found.