Summary
On May 22, 2009, a Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A (N7056U) was involved in an accident near Dewitt, AR. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the well stand-pipe during the takeoff climb.
The pilot completed 5 previous aerial application flights in the airplane without incident. Prior to the 6th flight, the aircraft was refueled and reloaded with fertilizer. Due to a change in the winds; now easterly and with slight gusting conditions, the pilot elected to depart the airstrip heading south. During the takeoff roll, the pilot pulled the nose of the airplane up to clear a well stand-pipe, located at the south end of the runway. As the pilot applied correction for a slight right drift, "the airplane veered to the right, dropped to the ground, and slammed into a levee" finally stopping in an adjacent field. An examination of the well stand-pipe indicated that the aircraft had impacted the top of the pipe during the takeoff climb.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN09CA313. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N7056U.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the well stand-pipe during the takeoff climb.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot completed 5 previous aerial application flights in the airplane without incident. Prior to the 6th flight, the aircraft was refueled and reloaded with fertilizer. Due to a change in the winds; now easterly and with slight gusting conditions, the pilot elected to depart the airstrip heading south. During the takeoff roll, the pilot pulled the nose of the airplane up to clear a well stand-pipe, located at the south end of the runway. As the pilot applied correction for a slight right drift, "the airplane veered to the right, dropped to the ground, and slammed into a levee" finally stopping in an adjacent field. An examination of the well stand-pipe indicated that the aircraft had impacted the top of the pipe during the takeoff climb. There were no reported malfunctions with the airplane or engine, prior to the accident.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN09CA313