Event FTW93LA195

Factual narrative

On June 23, 1993, at approximately 1630 central daylight time, a WSK PXL MIELEC, M-18A Dromader, N116RA, sustained substantial damage when the airplane impacted the terrain during takeoff from a private airstrip near Wheatley, Arkansas. The commercial pilot did not sustain injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight. During a telephone interview, conducted by the investigator in charge with the pilot, the following information was revealed. The pilot had been operating the airplane with the same load weights from the grass airstrip throughout the day. During the day, the temperature and winds increased. The pilot reported the winds from the south southeast at 5 knots and gusty with a temperature of 92 degrees Fahrenheit and a high humidity. The pilot further stated that as the airplane reached the end of the runway, he started dumping the load and pulled the airplane off the ground. As the airplane settled and the left wing hit the ground, the left main gear separated from the airframe and the airplane spun around approximately 180 degrees and slid to a stop. The private agricultural airport elevation was 230 feet MSL. Density altitude was approximately 2,200 feet MSL. On the recommendations section of the enclosed pilot report. NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot entered "longer strip or lower tmperature." DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AS THE AIRPLANE REACHED THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP, THE PILOT DUMPED THE LOAD AND ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB. THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE SETTLED TO THE TERRAIN COLLAPSING THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR. THE PILOT HAD BEEN OPERATING AT THE SAME WEIGHTS FROM THE AIRSTRIP ALL DAY. DURING THE DAY, TEMPERATURE INCREASED. FIELD ELEVATION AND DENSITY ALTITUDE WERE 230 AND 2,200 FEET MSL RESPECTIVELY. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12