Wsk Pzl Mielec M 18A accident near Nyssa, Oregon, June 23, 2015
On June 23, 2015 at about 1:18 pm local time, a 1994 Wsk Pzl Mielec M 18A, registered N2159C, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Nyssa, Oregon (Bybee Field). 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 pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, resulting in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 23, 2015 · about 1:18 pm local time
- Place
- Nyssa, Oregon · Bybee Field · 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 B, built 1994
- Registration
- N2159C · no longer on the register · serial 1Z024-21
- 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 reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane rolled over a bump on the runway surface and became airborne. The airplane descended to the runway while operating at takeoff power, resulting in a departure end runway excursion and collided with terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to the flight that would have precluded normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Runway excursion during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 3,825.1 hours in all; 94.6 in this make and model; 131 in the last 90 days; 60 in the last 30 days; 3,521.1 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 2, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,490.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 9, 2015; 95 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 11,700 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Honeywell/Garrett 331-IOU (turboprop); 16,479 hours total
- Operator: Bybee Air Service INC
The flight
- Departed from: 970G Nyssa OR at 1:18 pm
- Destination: 970G Nyssa OR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 3,000 ft by 20 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from ONO, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.