On December 6, 1982, a Beech A36 (registration N767T) operated by Treanor Equipment Company was involved in an aviation accident near Midland, AR. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot flying under VFR using an IFR chart struck a mountain 250 feet below the peak after requesting clearance to climb above an overcast. No VFR charts were found in the wreckage, and the pilot was unfamiliar with the area.
Accident Overview
Approximately 7 minutes after takeoff, the pilot of a small aircraft filed a VFR flight plan but was observed using an IFR enroute chart. The pilot then requested a frequency to call for clearance to climb above the overcast. About 5 minutes later, while reporting his position, the aircraft struck a mountain 250 feet below the peak. At impact, the aircraft was in a wings-level, slight climb attitude.
Search and Environmental Conditions
A departing corporate flight was directed to the area to locate the wreckage. The crew reported that both the mountaintop and the accident site were obscured by clouds. No VFR charts were found among the wreckage, and the pilot was unfamiliar with the mountainous region south of Fort Smith.