Accident Overview
On February 26, 2026, at approximately 1330 central standard time, a Peck Jodel-F12 experimental airplane, registration N30P, was destroyed in an accident near Rogers, Arkansas. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal operation.
Pre-Accident Information
According to the owner of Ozark Aerodrome (AR11), the airplane had not flown for about two to two and a half years. The pilot performed maintenance on the airplane in preparation for the flight, which was intended to relocate the aircraft to Springdale Municipal Airport (ASG) due to the planned closure of AR11 in April 2026. The airplane departed AR11 at about 1327.
Witness Account
A witness located at a private airstrip reported hearing an airplane with a rough running engine, similar to a magneto problem, to the west. As the airplane approached, the engine sound remained rough. A westerly wind was present. The airplane appeared from the west and headed east over the witness's property, which has a usable east/west turf runway (1,000 ft by 50 ft). The airplane was described as high and fast, and the witness believed it might be attempting to land. The airplane appeared to side slip, but the engine did not slow. It descended to about 25 ft above the runway without touching down. When the airplane reached the end of the property, it began to climb and turned slightly right to a south heading over Beaver Lake. The turn initially seemed shallow, then increased, accompanied by an increasing right roll, leading to a nose-down descent into the lake.
Wreckage Recovery
The wreckage was recovered from Beaver Lake and retained for further examination.