Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A accident near Hickory Ridge, Arkansas, April 28, 1999
On April 28, 1999 at about 1:30 pm local time, a Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A, registered N22524, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hickory Ridge, Arkansas (Cartillar airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain minimum required airspeed for flight, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 28, 1999 · about 1:30 pm local time
- Place
- Hickory Ridge, Arkansas · Cartillar · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A
- Registration
- N22524 · registry record · serial 1Z020-28
- 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 flight originated from a private airstrip to dispense a half load of the chemical Prowl to a 40-acre field. According to a witness, the airplane lifted off of the ground and 'appeared to be in normal flight when the nose started to rise.' The airplane continued to climb to about 350 feet, 'stalled' and started a spin to the left. At this time, the aircraft 'fell straight down' and impacted the ground in a 'slight nose down and left wing down' attitude. Examination of the wreckage revealed the throttle lever was found in the full forward (open) position, and the propeller lever was found in the full aft (feather) position. Continuity was established to all flight controls. The pilot, who sustained serious injuries, was not using his shoulder harness, and he was not wearing a helmet.
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: 13,000 hours in all; 2,009 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,827 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 1999; 27 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 9,600 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W PT6A-45R (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE at 1:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,800 ft by 80 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 225° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.