# NTSB MKC90FA091: Piper PA32RT-300, N2208N, Mansfield, AR, April 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1990, 09:09 local (14:09 UTC)
- Place: Mansfield, AR
- Coordinates: 35.050704, -94.239501 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0507&lon=-94.2395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34882
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90FA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34882/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90FA091

## Probable cause

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT'S DECISION TO CONTINUE VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE LOW CEILINGS, RAIN, AND TURBULENCE ENCOUNTERED AT LOW ALTITUDE, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT TRAINING/EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT WAS BRIEFED BY THE WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE FOR A VFR, NO-FLIGHT-PLAN FLIGHT. IN FLIGHT, THE PILOT RECEIVED A BRIEFING FROM AN AFSS AND WAS TOLD THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. PILOT INFORMED CENTER THAT HE WAS CLIMBING TO 7,000 FEET TO STAY ON TOP. WHEN HE WAS APPROACHING HIS DESTINATION, HE INFORMED APPROACH CONTROL THAT HE WAS ON TOP OF AN OVERCAST AND WAS TRYING TO FIND A PLACE TO GET DOWN. AFTER RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST WITH THIS AIRPLANE. ANOTHER APPROACH CONTROLLER OBSERVED A SLOW MOVING PRIMARY RADAR TARGET SOUTH OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, BUT AFTER IT WAS LOST, HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE ITS LAST KNOWN LOCATION, OR ITS IDENTITY. AIRPLANE WAS IN NEAR LEVEL ATTITUDE AT TREE IMPACT, THEN NEAR 60 DEGREE DOWN PATH TO TERRAIN. DAMAGE TO TREES, AND PROPELLER INDICATE ENGINE POWER BEING DEVELOPED AT IMPACT. WX IN AREA NOT KNOWN. WX STUDY SHOWS FORECAST OF HEAVY RAIN, REDUCED VISIBILITIES, MODERATE TURBULENCE BELOW CLOUDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2208N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2208N-1990-09-07), registration cancelled 1990-09-07, S/N 32R7985073 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA32RT-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7985073
- Airframe hours: 867
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Joe A. Hayes
- Registered owner: Roy E. Hayes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1990, 3 hours before
- Departed: BPT, BEAUMONT, TX
- Destination: FSM, FT. SMITH, AR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,200 total, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 13 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FSM, 24 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 19900417010009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900417010009A), Apr 17, 1990: Piper PA32RT300, Mansfield, AR, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into trees after letdown from on top. Weather survey showed overcast heavy rain and turbulence in area.

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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