# NTSB MKC88FA021: Piper PA-28-180, N9131J, Mena, AR, November 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1987, 18:00 local (Nov 16, 1987, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Mena, AR
- Coordinates: 34.58012, -94.229339 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5801&lon=-94.2293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34472
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88FA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34472/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA021

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON THE DAY OF THIS ACCIDENT, THERE WAS A WELL-PUBLICIZED WEATHER SYSTEM AFFECTING THE WEATHER ALONG THE PILOT'S ROUTE: WARM MOIST GULF AIR WAS MOVING NORTHWARD TOWARD A COLD FRONT THAT EXTENDED FROM MEXICO TO CANADA. RESIDENTS IN THE AREA SAID THE REGION HAD LOW CEILINGS, LOW VISIBILITY AND THUNDERSTORMS. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THE PILOT CONTACTED ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY FOR PREFLIGHT WEATHER INFORMATION. THE AIRPLANE FLEW ALMOST STRAIGHT AND LEVEL INTO TREES AND TERRAIN AT THE 2600-FOOT LEVEL ON FOURCH MOUNTAIN, NORTH OF MENA, ARKANSAS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9131J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9131J-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 28-3181, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 283181
- Airframe hours: 2226
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jesse W. Sellars
- Registered owner: Jesse W. Sellars
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 1987, 27 hours before
- Departed: PGR, PARAGOULD, AR
- Destination: FT WORTH, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 750 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 80° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FSM, 34 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 19871115066469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871115066469A), Nov 15, 1987: Piper PA28180, Mena, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into the side of a cloud obscured mountain. Severe weather forecast in the area. No record of weather briefing

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.