# NTSB FTW94FA138: Cessna A150K, N8457M, Mccrory, AR, April 27, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: April 26, 1994, 19:10 local (Apr 27, 1994, 00:10 UTC) - Place: Mccrory, AR - Coordinates: 35.250492, -91.190536 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2505&lon=-91.1905&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18892 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94FA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18892/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94FA138 ## Probable cause WAS THE INADVERTENT STALL AND SPIN. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S PERFORMANCE OF AEROBATICS AT AN INADEQUATE ALTITUDE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT ATTENDED A 5 HOUR COURSE OF INSTRUCTIONS ON AEROBATICS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED BY SEVERAL WITNESSES PERFORMING LOOPS, ROLLS, AND OTHER AEROBATIC MANEUVERS ON AN EAST AND WEST DIRECTION AT AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF 1,400 FEET AGL. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED ENTERING A LEFT SPIN FROM WHICH IT DID NOT RECOVER. IMPACT WAS MADE IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE IN A PLOWED RICE FIELD. NEITHER OCCUPANT WAS WEARING A PARACHUTE. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 26, 1994, at 1910 central daylight time, a Cessna A150K, N8457M, was destroyed upon impact with terrain following a loss of control near McCrory, Arkansas. The private pilot and his pilot rated passenger, who was also the airplane's owner, were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight. According to friends and relatives, the owner departed his private airstrip to fly to a friend's airstrip approximately 3 miles from the owner's house. The airplane departed again at 1855, with the owner occupying the right seat of the airplane. Several witnesses in the area observed the airplane performing loops, rolls, and "other stunts" on an east and west direction, at an estimated altitude of 1,400 feet AGL. The airplane was later observed entering a left spin from which it did not recover. Witnesses reported that the airplane continued in a left spin until it impacted the ground in a nose down attitude, in a left turn. PERSONNEL INFORMATION A friend of the pilot stated that the pilot had completed a 5 hour aerobatics course of instruction, whose curriculum included training on spins, rolls, and loops. Neither occupants were wearing parachutes. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane had been owned by the right seat passenger for over eight years. A review of the airframe and engine records by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, did not reveal any anomalies or uncorrected maintenance defects prior to the flight. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The aircraft came to rest in a plowed rice field on a measured heading of 015 degrees. The aircraft components and wreckage were located within 20 feet of the point of impact. The engine was found buried in a crater approximately 30 inches deep. Flight control continuity was established to all flight control surfaces. Likewise, engine continuity was established at the accident site. Examination of the airframe and engine at the accident site did not disclose any mechanical problems or pre- impact discrepancies. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy and toxicological tests were ordered and performed. The autopsy was performed on April 28, 1994, by Charles P. Kokes, M.D., Associate Medical Examiner for the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory in Little Rock, Arkansas. Toxicology findings were negative. ADDITIONAL DATA The wreckage was released to the owner's representative at the accident site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8457M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8457M-1997-12-03), registration cancelled 1997-12-03, S/N A15000157 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A150K - Registry model: [Cessna A150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a150k) (registry code 2071824) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: A15000157 - Airframe hours: 2053 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Odom, Bobby Joe - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 1994, 1 hours before - Departed: NONE - Destination: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 600 total, 25 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: JBR, 49 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 19940426009279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940426009279A), Apr 26, 1994: Cessna A150K, Mccrory, AR, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Practicing aerobatics loops rolls and other. Entered spin. Failed recover neither occupants wore parachutes. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.