# NTSB FTW83FA054: Beech A36, N767T, Midland, AR, December 6, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 6, 1982, 08:41 local (14:41 UTC)
- Place: Midland, AR
- Coordinates: 35.089748, -94.350219 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0897&lon=-94.3502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 6, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71699/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA054

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHEN THE PLT FILED HIS VFR FLT PLAN HE WAS OBSERVED USING AN IFR ENROUTE CHART. ABOUT 7 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT REQUESTED A FREQUENCY TO CALL FOR A CLEARANCE TO CLIMB ON TOP OF THE OVERCAST. APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES LATER, AS THE PLT WAS GIVING HIS POSITION, THE ACFT STRUCK A MOUNTAIN 250 FT BELOW THE PEAK. AT THE TIME OF IMPACT THE ACFT WAS IN A WINGS LEVEL, SLIGHT CLIMB ATTITUDE. A DEPARTING CORPORATE FLIGHT WAS SENT TO THE AREA IN AN ATTEMPT TO LOCATE THE WRECKAGE & REPORTED THAT THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN & THE ACCIDENT SITE WERE IN THE CLOUDS. THERE WERE NO VFR CHARTS FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE & THE PLT WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE MOUNTAINOUS AREA SOUTH OF FORT SMITH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N767T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N767T-1989-01-12), registration cancelled 1989-01-12, S/N E372 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-372
- Airframe hours: 2070
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Treanor Equipment Company
- Registered owner: Treanor Equipment Company
- Departed: C, FORT SMITH, AR
- Destination: C, ABILENE, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: FSM, Fort Smith Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,000 total, 2,800 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 106 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FSM, 19 nm away

## 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 19821206062619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821206062619A), Dec 6, 1982: Beech A36, Midland, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Entered clouds on climbout while obtaining a climb on top clearance. Hit a cloud obscured mountain. No VFR charts.

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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