Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A accident near Reydell, Arkansas, June 2, 2003
On June 2, 2003 at about 12:30 pm local time, a Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A, registered N135RA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Reydell, Arkansas (Private Strip airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during initial climb.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 2, 2003 · about 12:30 pm local time
- Place
- Reydell, Arkansas · Private Strip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A
- Registration
- N135RA · no longer on the register · serial 1Z0133
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The agricultural airplane was on initial climb from a private airstrip when it encountered a large whirlwind and turned 90 degrees to the right. The left main landing gear subsequently contacted the ground. The airplane then nosed over. Reported winds 18 miles west of the accident site were 130 degrees between 3 to 7 knots.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 6,500 hours in all; 450 in this make and model; 400 in the last 90 days; 200 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: February 3, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2003; 400 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 9,600 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Wsk Pzl Kalis PZL ASZ-62IR (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Reydell AR at 12:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,200 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from PBF, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.