Wsk Pzl Mielec M18A accident near Kinston, North Carolina, May 11, 1996
On May 11, 1996 at about 4:44 pm local time, a Wsk Pzl Mielec M18A, registered N2065K, was destroyed in an accident near Kinston, North Carolina (Kinston Regional Jetport airport). It was a public-use flight under public-use (government) rules. 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
a cracked/fractured #5 cylinder and subsequent failure/jamming of the #5 exhaust valve, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power; and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall and collision with the terrain. Factors related to the accident were: the excessive gross weight of the airplane, the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane, and pilot impairment from use of an over-the-counter medication with sedative side effects.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 11, 1996 · about 4:44 pm local time
- Place
- Kinston, North Carolina · Kinston Regional Jetport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Wsk Pzl Mielec M18A
- Registration
- N2065K · no longer on the register · serial 1Z024-17
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Public-use flight · public-use (government) rules
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The aircraft (acft) was originally certificated for a max gross weight (GW) of 9,260 lbs. On 3/16/96, the operator receive FAA approval to increase the GW to 12,499.9 lbs. The pilot (plt) had only 2.7 hrs of flight (flt) time in the make & model. Before flt, the hopper was loaded with fire retardant, while the engine was running. The loader noted the plt 'did not seem to be himself this day.' The loader said the engine was idling 'a little high' until he reminded the plt to 'cut it back,' & that the pilot failed to advise the loader of the quantity of retardant needed, until the loader got his attention & asked. The acft was loaded to an estimated GW of 13,022 lbs. Shortly after takeoff, witnesses heard the engine running rough & saw what appeared to be white & black smoke trailing the acft. The plt turned back toward the airport & dumped the load. The acft then stalled & impacted the ground. Exam of the flt controls revealed no preimpact failure. Engine exam revealed evidence of cracks in the #5 cylinder, leading to the exhaust port seat; a groove imbeded in the #5 exhaust valve stem; & evidence the exhaust valve seat had become detached & jammed against the exhaust valve stem. Contrary to flt manual procedures, primer was found open & positioned to the 'cylinder' side, & the stall warning system was found in the 'off' position. Toxicology testing of the plt's blood showed 0.026 mcg/ml diphenhydramine (an over-the-counter antihistamine with sedative side effects). An undetermined amount of trimethoprim was also detected in the pilot's blood & urine. Septra DS (an antibiotic containing trimethoprim) had been prescribed for prostatitis.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,600 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 41 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 2,500 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 181 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 16, 1996; 33 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 12,499 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pzl-Kalisz ASZ-62IR-M-18 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: ISO at 4:41 pm
- Destination: NONE Jacksonville NC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 7,500 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 12 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:46 pm from ISO, 1 miles away
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.