# NTSB FTW91FA033: Piper PA-30, N291R, Oppella, AR, January 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1991, 01:30 local (07:30 UTC)
- Place: Oppella, AR
- Coordinates: 35.14936, -92.740753 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1494&lon=-92.7408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23245
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91FA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23245/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91FA033

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER CLIMB RATE FOLLOWING LOSS OF HIS VISUAL REFERENCES AND ALLOWING HIMSELF TO BECOME DIVERTED DURING THE TAKEOFF.  FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE INTERRUPTED INSTRUMENT LIGHTING AND THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff
  - electrical system,circuit breaker - popped/tripped
  - instrument light(s) - disabled (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT DEPARTURE, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TREES 65 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, APPROXIMATELY .25 MILE FROM THE RUNWAY AFTER EXECUTING A TURN LEFT OF 90 DEGREES. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST IN A LAKE. THE RUNWAY IN USE FOR THE DARK NIGHT DEPARTURE WAS 20. THE RUNWAY WAS LOCATED IN A DEPRESSION ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN SHROUDED BY FOG AND CLOUDS, PROVIDING NO HORIZON FOR A VISUAL REFERENCE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REVEALED THAT AT THE TIME OF IMPACT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THE SWITCH WAS IN THE ON POSITION. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS CIRCUIT BREAKER  WAS FOUND POPPED. EVIDENCE OF THE PILOT STRIKING THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS HEAD ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE SIGNIFICANT INJURIES TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TORSO AND EXTREMITIES INDICATED THE PILOT WAS REACHING DOWN WITH THE RIGHT HAND, WITH THE LEFT HAND ON THE YOKE, IN AN EFFORT TO RESET THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT'S CIRCUIT BREAKER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N291R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N291R-1991-06-05), registration cancelled 1991-06-05, S/N 30808 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-808
- Airframe hours: 2212
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul G. Jones
- Registered owner: Paul G. Jones
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 1990, 58 hours before
- Destination: LIT, LITTLE ROCK, AR
- Airport: MPJ, Petit Jean, runway 2, 5,980 × 73 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,641 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19910127001119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910127001119A), Jan 27, 1991: Piper PA30, Morrilton, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost reference on night takeoff with no ground lights and panel not lit. Crashed into trees on rising terrain.

## Other investigations on N291R (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW79DPG74](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DPG74), Aug 2, 1979: Piper PA-30 (N291R), Keo, AR, substantial damage

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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