Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18 Dromader accident near Ukiah, Oregon, August 16, 2001
On August 16, 2001 at about 6:25 pm local time, a Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18 Dromader, registered N52768, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ukiah, Oregon (Cable Creek Ranch airport). It was a public-use flight under public-use (government) rules. 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An inadequate recovery from a bounced landing and directional control was not maintained during landing. A high flare and a fence were factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 16, 2001 · about 6:25 pm local time
- Place
- Ukiah, Oregon · Cable Creek Ranch · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18 Dromader
- Registration
- N52768 · no longer on the register · serial 1Z01902
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight · public-use (government) rules
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the flare for landing was a little high, and after the aircraft touched down, it bounced then settled to the runway. After touch down, the aircraft veered to the left and the pilot corrected with right rudder and brake application. The aircraft continued to the left toward a hill and rough terrain so he added power, and back pressure on the flight control. When the aircraft lifted off, it started to roll. The pilot reduced power and the right wing contacted the runway surface. The aircraft touched down on the main landing gear and again bounced and started to drift to the right toward a barn. To avoid a collision with the barn, the pilot again added power and started a left turn. At this time the left wing collided with a fence. The aircraft descended to the ground in a nose down attitude. After ground contact, the aircraft spun around twice before coming to rest. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 10,000 hours in all; 9,800 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 13, 2001
- Maximum gross weight: 11,750 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pezetel ASZ-621R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Ukiah OR at 6:08 pm
- Destination: Ukiah OR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°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.
Other NTSB records under N52768 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.