# NTSB MKC90LA066: Beech A23, N3520R, Fordyce, AR, March 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1990, 10:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Fordyce, AR
- Coordinates: 33.809886, -92.410919 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8099&lon=-92.4109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34943
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34943/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA066

## Probable cause

THE PASSENGER'S INTENTIONAL INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLIGHT BY SEIZING THE CONTROLS AND SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise
  - control interference - intentional, passenger (cause)
  - ignition system - switched off
  - disturbance - intentional, passenger (cause)
  - other psychological condition, passenger (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT, FATHER OF THE PASSENGER, A MANIC DEPRESSANT, SAID THAT HIS 29 YEAR OLD SON SEIZED THE CONTROLS WHILE CRUISING AT 5500 MSL, AND ATTEMPTED TO FORCE THE AIRCRAFT DOWN INTO A LAKE. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO OVERPOWER HIS SON AND RECOVERED AT ABOUT 3500 FT MSL. THEN, HIS SON SHUT THE ENGINE OFF WITH THE IGNITION KEYS AND THREW THE KEYS OUT THE WINDOW. ONCE AGAIN, THE SON ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OVER THE CONTROLS AND SUCCEEDED IN PUTTING THE AIRCRAFT INTO A SPIN. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO RECOVER FROM THE SPIN ABOUT 50 FEET AGL, BUT THE AIRCRAFT WAS NEARING A STALL AND HE WAS ABLE TO GUIDE THE ACFT BETWEEN TWO TALL TREES. THE ACFT CUT ONE TREE OFF AND UP ROOTED THE OTHER. THIS RESULTED IN THE ACFT LOSING MOST OF ITS FORWARD SPEED AND IT FELL TO THE GROUND FROM ABOUT 30 FEET AGL. THE PILOT AND PAX SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AND THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PAX WAS PLACE IN A PSYCHIATRIC UNIT AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3520R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3520R-2012-09-18), registration cancelled 2012-09-18, S/N M-674, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A23
- Registry model: [Beech A23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23) (registry code 1151204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-346 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-346-series) (registry code 17033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M674
- Airframe hours: 1234
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-346-A 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Johnston, William D.
- Registered owner: Johnston William D
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 1989, 21 hours before
- Departed: 6F4, ABILENE, TX
- Destination: HLD, HOLLY SPRINGS, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,248 total, 476 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBR, 30 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 19900317004609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900317004609A), Mar 17, 1990: Beech A23, Fordyce, AR, Substantial damage. Mentally disturbed passenger turned off ignition and threw keys out window and fought controls. Crashed in trees.

## Other investigations on N3520R (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW68D0071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68D0071), Jul 7, 1967: Beech 23 (N3520R), Mustang, OK, substantial damage

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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