# NTSB FTW82FPG08: Beech 19, N9779L, Little Rock, AR, January 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 2, 1982, 00:00 local (06:00 UTC)
- Place: Little Rock, AR
- Coordinates: 34.749679, -92.280357 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7497&lon=-92.2804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71445
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FPG08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71445/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FPG08

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight/nav instruments,directional gyro - undetermined
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED NORTH LITTLE ROCK AIRPORT SOMETIME AFTER 1745 AND WAS NOT SEEN OR HEARD FROM AGAIN. AT APPROXIMATELY 1900 A WITNESS 5 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT HEARD THE SOUND OF A LIGHT AIRCRAFT INCREASING AND DECREASING POWER JUST BEFORE THE SOUND OF IMPACT. THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE GROUND IN AN ALMOST STRAIGHT NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE PILOT'S WIFE STATED THE DIRECTIONAL GYRO OR GYRO COMPASS WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY & THE PLT & PAX LEFT HOME BETWEEN 1400 & 1500 TO WORK ON IT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9779L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9779L-1983-06-29), registration cancelled 1983-06-29, S/N MB-536 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 19
- Registry model: [Beech B19](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b19) (registry code 1151215) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MB536
- Airframe hours: 4668
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: R. F. Rockwell
- Registered owner: R. F. Rockwell
- Departed: LITTLE ROCK, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 153 total, 4 in this make and model, 102 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 115 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820102000679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820102000679A), Jan 2, 1982: Beech B19, North Little Ro, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft crashed during very poor weather conditions. Witness in vicinity reported visibility 100 yards.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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