Wsk Pzl Mielec M18 accident near Norton, Kansas, June 23, 1992
On June 23, 1992 at about 5:15 pm local time, a Wsk Pzl Mielec M18, registered N90135, was substantially damaged in an accident near Norton, Kansas. 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
FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO LEVEL OFF WHILE PERFORMING AERIAL APPLICATION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 23, 1992 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- Norton, Kansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Wsk Pzl Mielec M18
- Registration
- N90135 · no longer on the register · serial 1Z006-06
- 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 PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE STATED THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO SETTLE TOWARD THE GROUND AS HE LINED UP ON FINAL FOR A AERIAL APPLICATION SPRAY RUN. THE PILOT ADDED ALL AVAILABLE POWER BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE DESCENT AND LEVEL OFF. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TERRACE AND REBOUNDED INTO THE AIR. THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO SETTLE AGAIN. THE PILOT JETTISONED HIS LOAD OF CHEMICAL JUST BEFORE COLLIDING WITH ANOTHER TERRACE AND A FENCE.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 8,297 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 5,144 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,139 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 27, 1992; 58 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 9,260 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pzl-Kalisz ASZ-621R-M18 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NRN Norton KS at 5:02 pm
- Destination: NRN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:50 pm from GLD, 90 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.
Other NTSB records under N90135 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.