On June 8, 1999, a Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18 (registration N52401) was involved in an aviation accident near Dewitt, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. A factor was the downdraft weather condition. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An agricultural airplane returned to ground after takeoff, striking a levee and nosing over, with a post-impact fire destroying the fuselage. The pilot noted a small thunderstorm north of the airstrip and calm winds, while the operator found no anomalies.
Accident Details
An agricultural airplane settled back to the ground after taking off to the south from a private airstrip, behaving as if it had encountered a downdraft. The airplane impacted a levee located south of the 2,600-foot airstrip and nosed over. A post-impact fire erupted and consumed the airplane's fuselage.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that it was his sixth insecticide or fertilizer application flight of the day. He stated that the airplane had lifted off the ground at the same spot it always does. The pilot also noted that a small thunderstorm was present north of the airstrip at the time of the accident. He reported that the wind had been from 263 degrees at 4 knots all morning.
Weather Observations
The closest weather reporting station, situated approximately 15 miles southwest of the accident site, reported calm winds at the time.
Operator Findings
The operator stated that no anomalies were found with the airframe and engine. The airplane was within weight and balance limitations at the time of the accident.