# NTSB MKC85FA059: Piper PA-23-250, N104JK, Hot Springs, AR, February 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1985, 22:14 local (Feb 20, 1985, 04:14 UTC)
- Place: Hot Springs, AR
- Coordinates: 34.50027, -93.050582 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5003&lon=-93.0506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33820
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85FA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33820/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FA059

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spiral - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PILOT HAD BEEN CLEARED FOR AN ILS APPROACH TO HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS. AFTER HE CROSSED THE INITIAL APPROACH FIX, HE SAID HE WAS GOING TO CLIMB BACK ABOVE THE CLOUDS FOR JUST A SECOND. HE CLIMBED 500 FEET IN THE NEXT 12 SECONDS, THEN STARTED A FAST DESCENT. THE LAST TWO RADAR HITS WERE ALMOST SUPERIMPOSED. THERE WAS A POST IMPACT FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N104JK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N104JK-1985-08-08), registration cancelled 1985-08-08, S/N 27-7405471 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-74-5471
- Airframe hours: 4162
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540 C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jess Kimble Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1984, 16 hours before
- Departed: ADH, ADA, OK
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HOT, Memorial, runway 5, 6,956 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 742 total, 94 in this make and model, 614 as pilot in command, 196 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOT, 16 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 19850219006959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850219006959A), Feb 19, 1985: Piper PA23250, Hot Springs, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. After request to climb on top, aircraft climbed then descended rapidly into ground. Pilot competency may be a factor

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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