# NTSB FTW98LA083: Cessna R172K, N736VQ, Lakeview, AR, December 31, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 31, 1997, 16:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Lakeview, AR - Coordinates: 36.369892, -92.529228 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3699&lon=-92.5292&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20509 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20509/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA083 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment during the approach, and his delayed decision to execute a go-around. A related factor was the sunglare interfering with the pilot's view. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N736VQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N736VQ-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N R1722825, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna R172K - Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R1722825 - Airframe hours: 2100 - Engines: Continental IO-360-K 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rex E. Hensley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 5, 1997, 11 hours before - Departed: FLP, FLIPPIN, AR - Airport: 3MO, Gaston'S, runway 24, 3,200 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 425 total, 378 in this make and model, 395 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 4 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HRO ## 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 19971231039869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971231039869A), Dec 31, 1997: Cessna R172K, Lakeview, AR, Destroyed. Acft struck tree top and crashed while on final approach, gaston, AR. (-23) aircraft approached the airport at the midfield, crossed the runway and entered a… 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.