# NTSB MKC89FA083: Piper PA-38-112, N2604N, Mayflower, AR, March 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1989, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Mayflower, AR
- Coordinates: 34.970561, -92.40998 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9706&lon=-92.4100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34675
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89FA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34675/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89FA083

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED (VS), AND INADVERTANT ENTRY INTO A STALL WITH NECESSARY REMEDIAL ACTION NOT UNDERSTOOD.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - water

## Analysis

THE STU PILOT AND HIS STU PILOT RATED PASSENGER WERE FLYING LOW OVER THE ARKANSAS RIVER AS OBS BY TWO EYEWITNESSES LOCATED IN A BOAT IN A COVE NEAR THE EAST BANK OF THE RIVER. THE ACFT DISAPPEARED FOR A BRIEF TIME UNTIL IT AGAIN WAS SPOTTED, APPROACHING DIRECTLY AT THEM AT LOW ALTITUDE FROM THE NORTHEAST ALONG THE FINGER COVE. THE EYEWITNESSES STATED THE ACFT FLEW DIRECTLY OVERHEAD AND PULLED UP SHARPLY INTO A CLIMB. AT THE TOP OF THE CLIMB THE RIGHT WING STALLED AND THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED RAPIDLY NOSE DOWN UNTIL HITTING THE WATER. THE AIRCRAFT RAPIDLY SANK IN 30 FEET OF WATER BEFORE IT COULD BE REACHED. THE STU HAD RECENTLY BEEN RELEASED FOR SOLO TRNG FLTS AND HAD ASKED IF PASSENGERS WERE ALLOWED. THE STU WAS INSTRUCTED THAT NO PASSENGERS COULD BE ALONG. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO PRE-EXISTING MECHANICAL DEFECT OF FLIGHT CONTROLS OR AIRCRAFT ENG COMPONENTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2604N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2604N-1992-02-05), registration cancelled 1992-02-05, S/N 3879A0937 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 79A0937
- Airframe hours: 3811
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Barrett Aviation
- Registered owner: Barrett, Beverly J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 11, 1989, 44 hours before
- Departed: NLR, N. LITTLE ROCK, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19890324004469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890324004469A), Mar 24, 1989: Piper PA38112, Mayflower, AR, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Observed flying low over a river then pull up sharply stall and fall into river. Another student pilot on board.

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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