Incident Summary
At approximately 1331 Central Daylight Time, the pilot entered the Pine Bluff Flight Service Station and requested a weather briefing for a visual flight rules (VFR) flight to Springfield, Missouri. The briefer advised that VFR flight was not recommended. The pilot returned to the station between 1335 and 1350 and was observed examining weather charts.
Sequence of Events
Around 1420, the pilot departed without filing a flight plan. During departure, the aircraft remained below the clouds. A short time later, the aircraft was seen flying up the Arkansas River at a low altitude in the vicinity of power lines crossing the river. The pilot pulled up to clear the power lines. According to witnesses, the pilot pulled up, stalled, then recovered and turned away from the river. Moments later, the aircraft returned heading downriver back toward the power lines. It reportedly stalled again, impacted the water, and sank.
Occupant Details
All three occupants drowned. There was evidence that the front seat occupants were not using their seat belts and shoulder harnesses. Both front seat occupants had sustained temporal and facial lacerations.