FTW98LA083

The pilot reported that after returing to the 3,200 ft turf airstrip to land, he descended to 1,400 feet MSL and entered a left downwind for runway 24. He added that after configuring the airplane for landing, he turned final approach. The pilot further stated that 'in the course of the final approach, the sun suddenly blinded me and I didn't have any forward vision.' He concluded with the statement, 'I apparently drifted to the right of course and struck a tree . . .' The right wing of the airplane impacted trees located north of the final approach course. The non-rated passenger, who was seated in the right front seat, also stated that 'on landing we were blinded by the sun.' The airplane was equipped with sun visors for both front seats.

On December 31, 1997, at 1645 central standard time, a Cessna R172K airplane, N736VQ, was destroyed upon impact with trees and subsequent impact with the ground while on final approach to Gaston's Airport, near Lakeview, Arkansas. The non-instrument rated private pilot and his passenger were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight originating from Flippin, Arkansas, at approximately 1600.

The two occupants of the airplane were reported to have arrived in the area from Wichita, Kansas, on the day before the accident. They had secured reservations for the long weekend at the Gaston's White River Resort. The flight was not able to land at the Gaston's Airport due to thunderstorm activity near Lakeview, and the pilot elected to land at the Marion County Regional Airport in nearby Flippin, Arkansas, where they were picked up by personnel from the resort. On the day of the accident, they were provided ground transportation back to Flippin to pick up the airplane and reposition it to the Gaston's Airport.

In a written statement provided to the investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot stated that after departing Flippin, he proceeded to execute a sightseeing flight around the Bull Shoals Lake for about 45 minutes. Upon his return flight to the Gaston's airstrip, he descended to 1,400 feet MSL and entered a left downwind for runway 24. He added that after configuring the airplane for landing, he turned final approach. The pilot further stated that "in the course of the final approach, the sun suddenly blinded me and I didn't have any forward vision." He concluded with the statement, "I apparently drifted to the right of course and struck a tree with my left wing [while] attempting [to] land."

In a written statement provided by the non-rated passenger, who was seated on the right front seat, he describes the accident sequence as "hit tree with wing and plane spun around." The passenger also stated that "on landing we were blinded by the sun."

According to law enforcement personnel that responded to the accident site, the wreckage of the airplane was found north of the extended centerline for runway 24. They reported that the airplane impacted trees and subsequently impacted the ground in a nose low attitude while the pilot was attempting to land on the 3,200 foot turf runway. There was no fire.

Further examination of the wreckage revealed that the 1978 model airplane was equipped with sun visors for the pilot and copilot stations. Flight control continuity was established to all primary and secondary flight controls after the airplane was recovered from the accident site.