Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A accident near Dumas, Arkansas, June 5, 2004
On June 5, 2004 at about 8:00 pm local time, a Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A, registered N161RA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Dumas, Arkansas (Private Airstrip airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 5, 2004 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Dumas, Arkansas · Private Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A
- Registration
- N161RA · no longer on the register · serial 12-013-31
- 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 single-engine, tailwheel-equipped agricultural airplane lost engine power after takeoff from a private grass airstrip. The 16,200-hour pilot reported that he had flown for several hours prior to the accident with no problems. On the last takeoff, the airplane "seemed" to lose power approximately 600 yards beyond the departure end of the runway; however, the gauges indicated that the engine was performing normally. The pilot stated that the airplane had plenty of fuel onboard. The right wing "clipped" a tree, and the airplane spun around, before coming to rest in a field. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be 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: 16,200 hours in all; 1,992 in this make and model; 200 in the last 90 days; 125 in the last 30 days; 16,128 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 4, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,688 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 9, 2004; 82 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 10,800 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pzl Mielec M-18 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Perkins Air Service
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Dumas AR at 8:00 pm
- Destination: NONE Dumas AR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 77°F (25°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 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.