November 17, 2011, Perryville, Ark., Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee 180

At about 1610 Central time, the airplane impacted the ground. The flight instructor pilot and three passengers were fatally injured; the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed. Radar data showed the airplane level at 7000 feet msl on a southeasterly heading. At 1610:49, the airplane entered a right turn and began descending. The airplane disappeared from radar shortly thereafter.

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A flight instructor and three passengers were fatally injured when their airplane impacted the ground, sustaining substantial damage in visual conditions.
  • Radar data indicated the airplane, previously level at 7000 feet, suddenly entered a right turn and descent before disappearing from radar with no reported ATC communications.
  • Ground scars and witness marks suggest the airplane impacted the ground in a steep nose-low attitude.
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At about 1610 Central time, the airplane impacted the ground. The flight instructor pilot and three passengers were fatally injured; the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.

Radar data showed the airplane level at 7000 feet msl on a southeasterly heading. At 1610:49, the airplane entered a right turn and began descending. The airplane disappeared from radar shortly thereafter. There were no reported ATC communications with the airplane. Ground scars and witness marks to trees surrounding the accident site were consistent with the airplane being in a steep nose-low attitude at the time of impact.

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