Beech A36 accident near Winslow, Arkansas, February 6, 2010
On February 6, 2010 at about 5:43 pm local time, a Beech A36, registered N1085D, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (IFR initial approach) near Winslow, Arkansas (Drake Field Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people were killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The instrument-rated pilot's spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control during flight in instrument meteorological and conditions favorable for structural icing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 6, 2010 · about 5:43 pm local time
- Place
- Winslow, Arkansas · Drake Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N1085D · no longer on the register · serial E-2985
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Before being vectored for an instrument approach to the destination airport, the airplane was in visual meteorological conditions above a layer of clouds where earlier reports indicated icing conditions. During the descent, and as the airplane approached the initial fix for the approach, the airplane entered instrument meteorological conditions. Air traffic control communications and radar data indicated that the airplane flew past the initial fix and through the approach course after the air traffic controller instructed the pilot to intercept the approach course. The airplane turned right toward, and again through the approach course, followed by an additional and larger heading correction to the left and through the approach course. The airplane then flew an increasingly erratic flightpath until it disappeared from radar. The applicable Pilot's Operating Handbook and Federal Aviation Administration-approved Airplane Flight Manual indicated that flight in icing conditions was prohibited. The challenging visibility conditions and the airplane's flight track were conducive to the onset of pilot spatial disorientation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Other weather encounter during approach (IFR initial approach)
- Loss of control in flight during approach (IFR initial approach) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (IFR initial approach)
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Clouds › Ability to respond/compensate
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusio › Spatial disorientation › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 363 hours in all; 12 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: August 3, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Co-pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 0 hours in all; 0 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 0 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,661 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 1, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 3,650 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor IO-550 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Cooper Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: HOT Hot Springs AR at 5:02 pm
- Destination: FYV Fayetteville AR
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 36°F (2°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from FYV, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.