# NTSB FTW88FA084: Cessna 172M, N6534H, Hope, AR, March 31, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1988, 19:29 local (Mar 31, 1988, 01:29 UTC)
- Place: Hope, AR
- Coordinates: 33.660079, -93.589416 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6601&lon=-93.5894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22546
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88FA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22546/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA084

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT INITIATED THE FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER AFTER BEING ADVISED DURING A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. ABOUT 40 MINUTES BEFORE THE CRASH, HE CALLED EL DORADO (ARKANSAS) RADIO AND REQUESTED THEIR WEATHER FROM A POSITION REPORTEDLY IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES IN THE VICINITY OF THE CRASH SITE REPORTED THAT IT WAS A DARK NIGHT LOW CEILING PREVAILING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6534H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6534H-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 17265478, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17265478
- Airframe hours: 2735
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Denton, Clarence W.
- Registered owner: Lynn W Walker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 1987, 36 hours before
- Departed: RVS, TULSA, OK
- Destination: HEZ, NATCHEZ, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 232 total, 61 in this make and model, 165 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELD, 40 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 19880330006909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880330006909A), Mar 30, 1988: Cessna 172M, Hope, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Apparently trying to stay under a lowering ceiling, struck trees. Rain and fog in area. Was advised not to go VFR.

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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