Piper PA-38-112 accident near Prattsville, AR
On March 15, 2003, a Piper PA-38-112 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Prattsville, AR. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 15, 2003
- Place
- Prattsville, AR
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-38-112 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 34.296°N, 92.496°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030320X00357
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 15, 2003, at 0759 central standard time, a Piper PA-38-112 single-engine airplane, N91594, was destroyed when it impacted a radio tower guy-wire and terrain while maneuvering near Prattsville, Arkansas. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. The non-instrument rated private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from Decatur, Texas, at 0500. The flight was destined for Marion, South Carolina, with planned fuel stops at Sheridan, Arkansas; Hartselle, Alabama; and Union, South Carolina. Witnesses near the accident site reported that they could not see the airplane due to the fog, but heard it as it maneuvered overhead. As the airplane was maneuvering, the witnesses heard a "strange noise," which one witness described as a "click-twang." They then heard a loud bang or "thud/thump", at which time the "engine stopped." The person, who leases the field where the airplane impacted, reported that at the time of the accident, he could not see the 500-foot radio tower's lower strobe light, which is about 150 to 250 feet above the ground. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The 75-hour pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating, and an airframe and power plant certificate. The pilot's most recent third-class medical certificate was issued on May 10, 2002, with no waivers or limitations. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The 1981-model Piper PA-38-112, seri
Probable cause
The pilot's execution of VFR flight into IMC and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Fog conditions and the pilot's lack of an instrument rating are contributing factors.
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Browse: Arkansas · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
