On March 17, 1990, a Beech A23 (registration N3520R) operated by Johnston, William D. was involved in an aviation accident near Fordyce, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PASSENGER'S INTENTIONAL INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLIGHT BY SEIZING THE CONTROLS AND SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot struggled with his son, who seized controls, attempted forced landing, shut off engine and threw keys, then caused a spin. The pilot recovered but struck trees; both suffered minor injuries, aircraft substantially damaged.
Accident Narrative
While cruising at 5,500 feet mean sea level, the pilot reported that his 29-year-old son, who was a passenger and the pilot's son, seized the aircraft controls and attempted to force the aircraft down into a lake. The pilot managed to overpower his son and regained control at approximately 3,500 feet MSL. Subsequently, the son turned off the engine using the ignition keys and threw the keys out the window. The son then again attempted to take over the controls and succeeded in putting the aircraft into a spin. The pilot recovered from the spin about 50 feet above ground level, but the aircraft was nearing a stall. He guided the aircraft between two tall trees; the aircraft cut one tree off and uprooted the other. This resulted in the aircraft losing most of its forward speed, and it fell to the ground from about 30 feet AGL.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged.
Aftermath
The passenger was placed in a psychiatric unit after the accident.