MARSHALL, AR, USA
N9590W
PIPER PA-28-140
THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES AND IMPACTED A MOUNTAIN RIDGE DURING A COURSE REVERSAL. THE PILOT WAS ON A VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT IN FORECASTED MARGINAL VFR WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE WEATHER DETERIORATED AND THE PILOT DECIDED TO RETURN TO HIS STARTING POINT. THE PILOT FLEW FOR THE MILITARY IN WORLD WAR II AND, AT ONE TIME, HELD A COMMERCIAL CERTIFICATE WITH MULTIENGINE LAND AND SEA, AND INSTRUMENT RATINGS, BUT THESE RATINGS HAD BEEN REVOKED BY THE FAA.
On January 14, 1995, at 1310 central standard time, a Piper PA- 28-140, N9590W, was destroyed while maneuvering near Marshall, Arkansas. The private pilot received minor injuries. There was no flight plan filed and marginal visual meteorological (MVFR) conditions prevailed for the cross country flight. This pilot received his flight training in the military during World War II. At one time in his flying history, he had been commercially certified, multiengine rated, multiengine sea rated, and instrument rated. The enclosed Pilot/Operator report stated the following information. The pilot telephoned Jonesboro Flight Service Station for a weather briefing prior to his flight. The weather was forecasted to be MVFR. Approximately 8 miles southwest of Marshall, Arkansas, the weather deteriorated and he elected to return to Flippin, Arkansas. During a 180 degree turn, "I collided with small trees near the top of a ridge", and subsequently the airplane struck the ground. One wing was left hanging in a tree and the other was "folded back beneath the fuselage which came to rest on its left side." The pilot exited the airplane prior to the post crash fire, which consumed the airplane wreckage. The pilot also reported that "this accident could have been prevented by waiting for better weather or by turning back sooner."
THE PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE WEATHER AND RISING TERRAIN.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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