Accident History
On December 26, 2021, about 1729 central standard time, a Cessna 172E airplane, N5798T, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Hardy, Arkansas. The private pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
According to flight track data, the airplane became airborne before appearing on radar. It first appeared about 13 nm north of Walnut Ridge Regional Airport (ARG) at 1627 at 2,500 ft, then flew generally south toward ARG until track data was lost at 1643, 3.5 nm north of ARG. Track data reappeared at 1653, about 3 nm north of ARG, climbing from 2,800 ft. The airplane performed multiple left and right turns in an S-shaped pattern before straightening out and flying west-northwest, reaching 4,500 ft, then descending later in the flight.
During the flight, the pilot contacted air traffic control, requested weather information at the destination and other airports, and stated he had less than a quarter tank of fuel left. He reported he was setting up to land at an alternate airport when radar contact was lost. At 1722, the airplane crossed over Sharp County Regional Airport (CVK) from east to west at 4,000 ft, then turned right, descended slowly, and flew a track consistent with an approach attempt. It then entered a tight left turn, traveling north with abrupt changes in groundspeed, altitude, and direction, including at least one sharp counterclockwise 360° turn before track data was lost at 1728.
Passenger text messages sent during the flight stated, “ran into weather can’t see anything” and later, “out of gas in air.”
Pilot Information
The pilot did not hold an instrument rating. His logbook contained an entry for a flight review signed by a flight instructor on November 14, 2019, but the date block was empty.
Aircraft Information
The Cessna 172E was not equipped for instrument flight. It had been modified via an FAA-approved supplemental type certificate to use automotive gasoline. Investigators could not determine the amount of fuel on board at departure, and maintenance records were unavailable.
Meteorological Conditions
The pilot did not request a weather briefing or review static weather imagery before the flight. A warm frontal boundary over the accident area produced small temperature-dew point spreads, leading to clouds, fog, and drizzle. An inversion with top near 5,000 ft msl was present, along with low-level wind shear. An AIRMET Sierra for IFR conditions and a Center Weather Advisory for low IFR (LIFR) conditions were valid at the accident time. A witness about 1 mile north reported heavy fog with visibility estimated at 500 ft. Civil twilight ended at 1726; sunset occurred at 1657.
Wreckage and Impact
The airplane was located on heavily wooded private property in the Ozark mountains. It came to rest nose-down in a 6 ft deep by 6 ft wide impact crater, with the engine and propeller buried. No postimpact fire or explosion occurred, and no fuel smell or evidence of fuel was present. All major structural components were accounted for. Several 50 ft trees had broken limbs, but none appeared felled by impact; damage was consistent with a near-vertical descent. The accident site elevation was 730 ft msl.
Flight control continuity from control surfaces to inboard toward the cabin was established, but could not be confirmed inside the cabin due to damage. Both fuel tanks were breached and empty; caps were open but attached. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures were found in the airframe or engine.
Additional Information
The FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute publication defines spatial disorientation as a loss of proper bearings and mental confusion relative to the earth. The FAA's Airplane Flying Handbook notes that when the horizon is obscured, the vestibular sense can produce false sensations, leading to spatial disorientation.