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NTSB Report
March 31, 1988 · Cessna 172M · N6534H
Hope, AR
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 31, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Hope, AR
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N6534H
Operator
Denton Clarence W
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW88FA084
THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT INITIATED THE FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER AFTER BEING ADVISED DURING A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. ABOUT 40 MINUTES BEFORE THE CRASH, HE CALLED EL DORADO (ARKANSAS) RADIO AND REQUESTED THEIR WEATHER FROM A POSITION REPORTEDLY IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES IN THE VICINITY OF THE CRASH SITE REPORTED THAT IT WAS A DARK NIGHT LOW CEILING PREVAILING.
Full Narrative
THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT INITIATED THE FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER AFTER BEING ADVISED DURING A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. ABOUT 40 MINUTES BEFORE THE CRASH, HE CALLED EL DORADO (ARKANSAS) RADIO AND REQUESTED THEIR WEATHER FROM A POSITION REPORTEDLY IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES IN THE VICINITY OF THE CRASH SITE REPORTED THAT IT WAS A DARK NIGHT LOW CEILING PREVAILING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:29 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN6534H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDenton Clarence W
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind70° @ 5 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:57
Weather SourceWFAC