# NTSB FTW94FA242: Piper PA-28-161, N36566, Lakeview, AR, July 23, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: July 23, 1994, 12:43 local (17:43 UTC) - Place: Lakeview, AR - Coordinates: 36.369438, -92.52938 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3694&lon=-92.5294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 3 fatal - Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18915 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94FA242 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18915/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94FA242 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN MINIMUM REQUIRED AIRSPEED FOR FLIGHT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE OVER-FLYING THE GASTONS RESORT AIRSTRIP. AS THE AIRPLANE REACHED THE AREA IN THE VICINITY OF THE RESORTS OFFICE COMPLEX, WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE AIRSTRIP, IT APPEARED TO BE TOO HIGH TO MAKE A LANDING. THE AIRPLANE 'MADE A SUDDEN UNUSUAL STEEP LEFT TURN.' WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS MID-POINT OF THE RIVER, ITS 'NOSE DROPPED' AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE WATER IN A LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE WITH THE ENGINE 'SCREAMING.' THE LEFT WING SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE AND WAS RECOVERED DOWNSTREAM. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 23, 1994, at 1243 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N36566, was substantially damaged following a loss of control near Lakeview, Arkansas. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross country flight. The flight originated at Kansas City Downtown Airport (MKC), Kansas City, Missouri, with a destination of Gastons Resort Airstrip (3M0), Lakeview, Arkansas. A witness observed the airplane over flying the 3200 x 75 foot sod air strip. As the airplane reached the area in the vicinity of the resort office complex, which is located on the south side of the departure end of the air strip, it appeared to be too high to make a landing. The witness stated the airplane then "made a sudden unusual steep left turn." Other witnesses who were fishing on the White River stated they saw the airplane come over the trees "perpendicular to the river, the nose up, it was in a tight left turn with the left wing low." When the airplane was mid-point of the river, its "nose dropped and it abruptly changed direction coming straight down the river." They further stated, "the plane dived toward the river, engine still screaming." They also stated, "the left wing dipped, hit the water first, and flew off." PERSONNEL INFORMATION According to the operator the private pilot flew approximately once every 5 to 6 weeks. To the best of the operator's knowledge this was the first time the pilot flew to Gastons Airstrip. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane came to rest inverted on a measured heading of 225 degrees, in the White River across from the Gaston Resort. The left wing was separated from the fuselage and was recovered down stream. See enclosed wreckage diagram. Examination of the airplane and engine did not disclose any mechanical anomolies. The wing flaps were found in the retracted position. Continuity was established to all flight controls. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The autopsy was performed by pathologist Charles E. Kokes, M.D. at the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, Little Rock, Arkansas. Toxicological findings were negative. ADDITIONAL DATA The airplane was released to the owners representative. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36566](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36566-1996-10-11), registration cancelled 1996-10-11, S/N 287816645 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7816645 - Airframe hours: 4379 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Spirit Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1994, 64 hours before - Departed: MKC, KANSAS CITY, MO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 200 total, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 11 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HRO, 39 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 19940723019079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940723019079A), Jul 23, 1994: Piper PA28161, Lakeview, AR, Substantial damage, 3 fatal. Over flew lodge airstrip. Made sudden steep reversal. Stalled. Fell into river. Lost a wing on impact. 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.