Accident · 2005-08-23

NTSB case LAX05TA277 · WSK PZL Mielec M-18A · PUBU

What the record says

Event date: 2005-08-23
Event type: Accident
Highest injury level: Minor injury
Aircraft: WSK PZL Mielec M-18A (N7077N)
Operating rule: PUBU
Operator: Bureau of Land Management Operator named in NTSB report
Operated by (per NTSB report): Bureau of Land Management

Probable cause

the pilot's failure to adequately plan for the wind direction and speed during a fire retardant delivery flight, which led to a loss of true airspeed, failure to attain a proper climb rate, and the in-flight collision with mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were the high, gusty, tailwind conditions.

Source: NTSB case LAX05TA277

Flight crew

Flight-crew details for this event aren't in the NTSB database extract we hold (its coverage starts with 2008 events) — a gap in our data, not an absence of crew.

Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.

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