# NTSB MKC89LA003: Cessna 172, N734BK, West Memphis, AR, October 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1988, 22:10 local (Oct 9, 1988, 03:10 UTC)
- Place: West Memphis, AR
- Coordinates: 35.139854, -90.179382 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1399&lon=-90.1794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34708
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34708/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA003

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not operating (contributing factor)
  - notams - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO ACTIVATE THE RUNWAY LIGHTS ON THE DESIGNATED FREQUENCIES DURING A NIGHT PERSONAL FLIGHT. HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND WITHOUT THE AID OF THE RUNWAY LIGHTS, AND TOUCHED DOWN ON THE FAR END OF THE RUNWAY SUBSEQUENTLY RUNNING OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. A NOTAM HAD BEEN ISSUED DECLARING THE AIRPORT UNUSABLE DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS, DUE TO THE AIRPORT'S INSTALLATION OF NEW RUNWAY LIGHTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N734BK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N734BK-1989-09-12), registration cancelled 1989-09-12, S/N 17268724 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268724
- Airframe hours: 1178
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: West Memphis Aviation
- Registered owner: West Memphis Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 31, 1988, 54 hours before
- Departed: MEM, MEMPHIS, TN
- Airport: AWM, West Memphis, runway 17, 5,000 × 100 ft, concrete

## 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; flight hours: 89 total, 29 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM, 15 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 19881008046039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881008046039A), Oct 8, 1988: Cessna 172N, West Memphis, AR, Substantial damage. Overran the unlighted runway after landing on last third. Runway notamed as closed and changing runway lights.

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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