On June 1, 1986, a Cessna 140 (registration N89247) operated by Ralph W. Fulmer was involved in an aviation accident near Des Arc, AR. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Two light aircraft collided in midair while flying low over the White River, witnessed by numerous people on a sandbar. Both planes impacted the riverbank; the Piper caught fire after impact.
Overview
Two aircraft, a Piper PA-28-140 and a Cessna 140, collided while flying close together at low altitude over the White River. The collision was observed by numerous witnesses positioned on a sandbar in the river. The occupants of the aircraft were waving to the people on the sandbar at the time of the collision.
Witness Accounts
Of the nine witness statements received, five reported that the Piper PA-28-140 struck the Cessna 140, three stated that the Cessna 140 hit the Piper PA-28-140, and one witness described the two aircraft as drifting together before the collision.
Aftermath
Following the midair collision, both airplanes impacted the terrain above the river bank. The Piper PA-28-140 subsequently caught fire after its impact with the ground.