Piper PA-38-112 N91594

Summary

On 15 March 2003 at about 13:59 local time, a Piper PA-38-112 registered N91594 was involved in an accident near Prattsville, Arkansas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 March 2003 at 13:59

Classification

Accident

Location

Prattsville, Arkansas, United States

Coordinates

34.2956, -92.4964

Aircraft

Piper PA-38-112

Registration

N91594

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Decatur → Sheridan

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Dawn

NTSB number

FTW03FA111

2 people died.

The pilot's execution of VFR flight into IMC and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Fog conditions and the pilot's lack of an instrument rating are contributing factors.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The single-engine airplane impacted a radio tower guy-wire and terrain while on a VFR cross-country flight. The 75-hour non-instrument rated private pilot had purchased the airplane 3 days prior to the accident. Witnesses reported that they could not see the airplane due to the fog, but heard it as it maneuvered overhead. The person, who leases the field that the airplane impacted, reported that at the time of the accident, he could not see the 500-foot radio tower's lower strobe light, which is about 150 to 250 feet above the ground. At 0653, the nearest weather observation facility reported winds from 360 at 6 knots, an indefinite ceiling at 100 feet, visibility 1/4 statute mile in fog, temperature 43 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 43 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.02 inches of Mercury.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.