Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during an aerial application reversal turn.
NTSB analysis
During an agricultural aerial application flight near hilly terrain, the pilot pulled up at the end of an application run in order to execute his reversal turn. During the pull-up/turn sequence, the airplane encountered a localized wind shear, which resulted in the airplane's nose dropping down and to the right. Although the pilot attempted a recovery, he did not have enough altitude to do so, and therefore the airplane impacted the terrain. The pilot reported that there was no indication of problems with the flight controls or the engine. The impact sequence resulted in substantial damage to both the fuselage and the wings.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09CA358 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 20, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Rockland, Idaho
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
PZL M18B
- N-number
- N7813T
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.