Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Rochester, New York
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
http://registry.faa.gov/N851EJ
Location: Dansville, NY
Accident Number: GAA18CA502
Date & Time: 08/04/2018, 1400 EDT
Registration: N851EJ
Aircraft: WSK PZL MIELEC M-18A
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Low altitude operation/event
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural
Analysis
The pilot reported that he was performing an agricultural application flight to a corn field, which had a tree line running west to east on the north side of the field and another tree line running north to south on the east end of the field. He was making application passes from east to west and started at the south side of the field progressing northward toward the tree line with each pass. He added that he noticed that the wind speed increased to about 10 to 12 mph. During the second to last spray pass, while heading west, he came over the east end tree line and descended close to the corn. About 300 ft into the field, the airplane began to descend rapidly, and he pitched the airplane's nose up. He added that the descent continued and that the airplane began to lose airspeed. The landing gear struck the corn, and the airplane impacted terrain and came to rest inverted.
The pilot added that he believed a combination of descending air that rolled over the north line of trees, wind shear, the low-altitude flying, and reduced margin of error for the proper application of pesticide caused the accident.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
A weather station, located about 3 miles northeast of the accident site reported, about the time of the accident, temperature 85.3°F, dew point 68.3°F, and wind from 293° at 6 mph, gusting to 8 mph.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from crops during an agricultural application flight.
Findings
Aircraft
Altitude - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)
Environmental issues
Wind - Effect on operation
Tree(s) - Contributed to outcome
Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-low-alt flying
Low altitude operation/event (Defining event)
Uncontrolled descent
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Certificate: Commercial
Age: 30, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/27/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/23/2017
Flight Time: (Estimated) 1396 hours (Total, all aircraft), 28.4 hours (Total, this make and model), 1339 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 101.9 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 65.8 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 7.3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: WSK PZL MIELEC
Registration: N851EJ
Model/Series: M-18A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted
Serial Number: 1Z017-24
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 07/07/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 10340 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2795.1 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: WSK-PZL
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: ASZ-62IR-M18
Registered Owner: JERSEY DEVIL DUSTERS LLC
Rated Power: 980 hp
Operator: JERSEY DEVIL DUSTERS LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural Aircraft (137)
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KDSV, 662 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 18 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1754 UTC
Direction from Accident Site:356°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 4900 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 240°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.1 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 18°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Hornell, NY (HTF)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Hornell, NY (HTF)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1345 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 42.272222, -77.684722 (est)
