# NTSB MKC87LA135: Piper PA-28-140, N5921U, Waldron, AR, July 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1987, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Waldron, AR
- Coordinates: 34.89064, -94.08905 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8906&lon=-94.0891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34409
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34409/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA135

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID HE WAS ON A X-COUNTRY FOR HIS COMMERICAL CERT. HE CHECKED ENROUTE WX FOR THE RETURN TRIP AND WAS TOLD VMC PREVAILED. HOWEVER HE RPTD THAT HE ENCOUNTERED HAZE & CLOUDS. HE LET DOWN TO VMC BUT AFTER HE GOT IN THE CLEAR ALL HE COULD SEE WAS MOUNTAINS AND A FIELD HE THOUGHT HE COULD LAND ON. HE ELECTED TO LAND ON THE FIELD BUT DURING THE LANDING THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AND A FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5921U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5921U-2013-09-26), registration cancelled 2013-09-26, S/N 28-26900, built 1970 (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: 2826900
- Airframe hours: 2428
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: American Air Associates
- Registered owner: Michael T. O Bannon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 12, 1986, 32 hours before
- Departed: ELD, EL DORADO, AR
- Destination: RVS, TULSA, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 112 total, 8 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FSM, 40 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 19870710034289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870710034289A), Jul 10, 1987: Piper PA28140, Waldron, AR, Substantial damage. Commerical crosscountry training flight. Encountered weather. Descended to stay VFR.landed in field. Hit dtich,fence

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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