Pezetel M-18A accident near Wilmot, AR
On May 19, 1997, a Pezetel M-18A (airplane) was involved in an accident near Wilmot, AR. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- May 19, 1997
- Place
- Wilmot, AR
- Aircraft
- Pezetel M-18A · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 33.050°N, 91.570°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X07900
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 19, 1997, at 1335 central daylight time, a Pezetel M-18A (Dromader) agricultural airplane, N8089Z, was destroyed following a loss of control during initial takeoff climb near Wilmot, Arkansas. The non-instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Wilmot Aviation Inc., of Wilmot, Arkansas, on a Title 14 CFR Part 137 flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight, which was the pilot's first flight of the day, was originating from the operator's private airstrip at the time of the accident. Following a takeoff to the east, the airplane was observed by witnesses attaining a maximum altitude of 150 to 200 feet above the ground in a pronounced nose high attitude. Witnesses further stated that the airplane executed a right turn and then the left wing dropped, followed by the airplane impacting the ground in a nose low attitude. The pilot did not release the load of rice seed prior to impacting the ground. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The commercial pilot was issued a commercial certificate number 430040751 on April 27, 1981, with airplane single engine land privileges with a limitation prohibiting carrying passengers for hire at night or on a cross country flight of more than 50 nautical miles. His last second class medical certificate was issued on February 13, 1997, without any limitations. At the time of his last medical, he reported a total of 8,577 flight hours, of which 20 were flown
Probable cause
failure of the pilot to remove the elevator control lock before the first flight of the day, which resulted in his inability to control the airplane, due to the locked elevator control. Related factors were: the prevailing high winds and the lack of a visible warning streamer/flag on the elevator control lock.
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Browse: Arkansas
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
