# NTSB MKC88FA019: Piper PA-32R, N3578G, Fayetteville, AR, November 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1987, 19:36 local (Nov 20, 1987, 01:36 UTC)
- Place: Fayetteville, AR
- Coordinates: 36.069725, -94.149139 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0697&lon=-94.1491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34471
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88FA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34471/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA019

## 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 - base leg/base to final
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS CLEARED TO LAND WHILE ON DOWNWIND. TOWER SAW LIGHTS AND SAID AIRPLANE APPEARED TO BE FLYING AROUND HILL NORTH OF AIRPORT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED AIRPLANE HAD TURNED LEFT AND IMPACTED TREES BELOW THE TOP OF THE HILL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3578G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3578G-1989-03-16), registration cancelled 1989-03-16, S/N 32R8029038 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R8029038
- Airframe hours: 1479
- Engines: LYCOMING TSIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Robert R. Pilgram
- Registered owner: Robert L Pilgrim
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 22, 1987, 16 hours before
- Departed: CRT, CROSSETT, AR
- Destination: FYV
- Airport: FYV, Drake, runway 16, 6,006 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 500 total, 100 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FYV, 1 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 19871119066589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871119066589A), Nov 19, 1987: Piper PA32R301T, Fayetteville, AR, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into the side of a tree covered hill at night while circling to land. Obviously at an unsafe altitude.

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.