Beechcraft H-35 N7929D

Summary

On 15 December 2003 at about 18:34 local time, a Beechcraft H-35 registered N7929D was involved in an accident near Mena, Arkansas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 December 2003 at 18:34

Classification

Accident

Location

Mena, Arkansas, United States

Coordinates

34.7208, -94.3867

Aircraft

Beechcraft H-35

Registration

N7929D

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Owasso → Mena

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW04FA044

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude and clearance from terrain. Contributing factors were the mountainous terrain, fog, clouds, and turbulence.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane collided with terrain, at the 2,061-foot level of the 2,601-foot mountain, while on a visual approach to the airport. The 3,241-hour airline transport rated pilot climbed to an altitude of 5,600 AGL and while in VFR conditions, requested and obtained traffic advisories from ARTCC. Approximately 1228, the pilot initiated a visual approach to M39. The last radar contact was established at 1232, and the pilot was cleared to the UNICOM frequency and requested to squawk 1200. At 1232, the last radar position revealed the airplane was at an altitude of 3,100 AGL, descending at a ground speed of 116 knots. The position of the airplane at that time was 11 nautical miles northeast of M39. A pilot, who was flying into the airport approximately the same time as the accident, stated that the weather was overcast and solid with a low ceiling. While on a VFR approach into the airport, he had to descend below 2,000 feet. Once he descended, there was fog. The pilot flew northeast in order to clear the mountains, and then flew through a valley. He stated that he experienced severe turbulence while flying through the valley. Once the pilot landed, he reported that the ceiling was at 1,500 feet and foggy; however, the weather report indicated clear skies.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.