Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18 accident near Dumas, Arkansas, August 7, 2001
On August 7, 2001 at about 4:10 pm local time, a Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18, registered N4206B, was substantially damaged in an accident near Dumas, Arkansas. 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 loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 7, 2001 · about 4:10 pm local time
- Place
- Dumas, Arkansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18
- Registration
- N4206B · no longer on the register · serial 1Z005-07
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During an aerial application flight, the pilot stated that the "backfire plate started opening and closing" while in the process spraying a field. After he reduced the power and pulled out of the field "everything was normal of about 15 seconds" which was followed by a rough running engine and a total loss of engine power. The pilot maneuvered the airplane into the wind to execute a forced landing. During the landing roll in rough and uneven terrain, the tires sank into the soft ground and the airplane nosed over coming to rest in the inverted position. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.
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: 8,000 hours in all; 6,000 in this make and model; 8,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 30, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 9, 2001
- Maximum gross weight: 10,200 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pzl-Kalisz ASZ-621R-M18 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Dumas AR at 3:10 pm
- Destination: NONE Dumas AL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
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.