# NTSB MKC89FA110: Piper PA-24-250, N8199P, Winslow, AR, May 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1989, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Winslow, AR
- Coordinates: 35.800815, -94.12902 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8008&lon=-94.1290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34684
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89FA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34684/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89FA110

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FLYING INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN THE IN-FLIGHT SEPARATION OF A PORTION OF THE RIGHT WING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## 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 - thunderstorm
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wing - separation
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT HELD A PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE WITH NO INSTRUMENT RATING. HE FILED A VFR FLIGHT PLAN. OFFICIAL WEATHER OBSERVATION REFLECTED THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY ALONG THE PROPOSED ROUTE OF FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED AN AREA OF INTENSE THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT DESCENDING MINUS A LARGE SECTION OF ONE WING AND IMPACTING THE GROUND IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8199P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8199P-2013-09-17), registration cancelled 2013-09-17, S/N 24-3394, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-3394
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C1B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Mid-Con Mfg Inc.
- Registered owner: Mid-Con Mfg
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 28, 1988
- Departed: M18, HOPE, AR
- Destination: ASG, SPRINGDALE, AR
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 65 total, 31 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FYV, 36 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 19890515011499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890515011499A), May 15, 1989: Piper PA24250, Winslow, AR, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into area of thunderstorms VFR. Lost control. Exceeded design load. Lost part of wing. Crashed. Low time pilot

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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