Wsk Pzl Mielec PZL M18B N14067

Summary

On 7 July 2007 at about 18:18 local time, a Wsk Pzl Mielec PZL M18B registered N14067 was involved in an accident near Kyle, South Dakota, 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

7 July 2007 at 18:18

Classification

Accident

Location

Kyle, South Dakota, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Wsk Pzl Mielec PZL M18B

Registration

N14067

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Rapid City → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI07TA201

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during an aerial application maneuver. Contributing to the accident were wind gusts, low altitude, and the reported downdraft.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The agricultural application airplane sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain while maneuvering for a public use aerial application of fire retardant. The pilot stated that he was approaching a fire location from the northwest. He was crossing a "burnt area from west to east across gently rolling terrain." When he crossed a ridgeline, he encountered a downdraft and the airplane "wanted to settle." The pilot "pushed [the] nose over and released [the] load." The pilot stated that the airplane would not recover before impacting terrain. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane in reference to the flight. Gusty winds were present in the area at the time of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.