1 fatal · WSK PZL Mielec M-18A · 2004-03-16 · Safford, AZ, USA
Event
NTSB number
LAX04TA161
Event ID
20040330X00400
Type
Accident
Date
2004-03-16
Location
Safford, AZ, USA
Coordinates
32.80902, -109.359893
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
1
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
1
Aircraft
Make
WSK PZL Mielec
Model
M-18A
Registration
N6259N
FAR Part
PUBU
Engines
1
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and at least one ensuing engine power surge, which caused the airplane to pitch up abruptly into a stall at an altitude too low for recovery. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's mismanagement of the fuel supply, his failure to adhere to prescribed flight manual procedures for equalizing the fuel quantity distribution between the fuel tanks, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed after the power loss.