# NTSB MKC86FA123: Cessna 140, N89247, Des Arc, AR, June 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1986, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Des Arc, AR
- Coordinates: 34.969963, -91.500831 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9700&lon=-91.5008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34070
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86FA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34070/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86FA123

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, maneuvering
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Midair collision, maneuvering
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Midair collision, descent - uncontrolled
- Fire, other

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

NUMEROUS WITNESSES ON A SANDBAR IN THE WHITE RIVER OBSERVED THIS COLLISION OF TWO AIRPLANES AS THEY WERE FLYING CLOSE TOGETHER, LOW, OVER THE RIVER. OF THE NINE WITNESS STATEMENTS RECEIVED, FIVE HAD THE PIPER PA-28-140 HITTING THE CESSNA 140, THREE HAD THE CESSNA 140 HITTING THE PIPER PA-28-140 AND ONE HAD THEM DRIFTING TOGETHER. THE PEOPLE IN THE AIRPLANES WERE WAVING TO THE PEOPLE ON THE SANDBAR WHEN THE AIRPLANES COLLIDED. BOTH AIRPLANES IMPACTED THE TERRAIN ABOVE THE RIVER BANK. THE PIPER PA-28-140 BURNED AFTER IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N89247](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89247-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 8267, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8267
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ralph W. Fulmer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CABOT, AR
- Destination: BRINKLEY, AR

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N4254J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4254J-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N 28-22611, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-22611
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles M. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 18, 1986, 8 hours before
- Departed: CABOT, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N89247; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,804 total, 22 in the last 30 days
- Pilot, aircraft N4254J; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,995 total, 18 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LIT, 60 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860601043281A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860601043281A), Jun 1, 1986: Cessna 140, Des Arc, AR, Destroyed. While flying very low over the river, collided with N4254J. Both in turns. Uncontrolled descent to ground impact.
- [Accident 19860601043282A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860601043282A), Jun 1, 1986: Piper PA28140, Des Arc, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. While flying very low over the river, collided with N89247. Both aircraft were banking. Impacted ground and burned.

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.