Wsk Pzl Mielec PZL-M-18 accident near Winnie, Texas, June 3, 1986
On June 3, 1986 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Wsk Pzl Mielec PZL-M-18, registered N4226N, was destroyed in an accident near Winnie, Texas. 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 NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 3, 1986 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Winnie, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Wsk Pzl Mielec PZL-M-18
- Registration
- N4226N · no longer on the register · serial 12005-03
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT EXPERIENCED PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER DURING TAKEOFF WHEN THE #3 CYLINDER QUIT FIRING. THE AIRCRAFT THEN SETTLED BACK DOWN ONTO THE GRASS STRIP AND COLLIDED WITH A LEVY. AT THIS POINT THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH WENT THROUGH SOME UNDERBRUSH, BREAKING UP THE WINGS. THE BREAKAGE CAUSED THE FUEL TANKS TO RUPTURE AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY FIRE. THE PLT HAD PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ACFT AND THE ACFT MECHANIC HAD A REPLACEMENT CYLINDER ON ORDER WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.
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: 6,000 hours in all; 200 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 200 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,176 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 28, 1986
- Maximum gross weight: 12,125 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pezetel M-18 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 79°F (26°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 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.