On October 27, 1997, a Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A (registration N149RA) was involved in an aviation accident near Roanoke, LA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: loss of engine power for an undetermined reason(s). A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An agricultural airplane lost engine power while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. The pilot performed a forced landing; during the roll, the left wing struck a tree, causing the airplane to enter a ditch and nose over. No cause for the power loss was found.
Accident Overview
While maneuvering during an aerial application flight, the agricultural airplane's engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing in a field. During the landing roll, the left wing contacted a tree. The contact turned the airplane left into a ditch that ran along the edge of the field. The airplane then nosed down and came to a stop in the ditch.
Examination and Testing
Fuel was found in the airplane's fuel tanks, fuel filter, and carburetor. The radial engine was removed from the airframe and run on a test stand for 1 hour 16 minutes with no discrepancies noted. After the airframe was repaired, the engine was reinstalled, and it operated with no discrepancies noted.
Probable Cause
The reason for the engine power loss could not be determined.