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 November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 6, 2010 · about 5:43 pm local time · cases in 2010
- Place
- Winslow, Arkansas · Drake Field Airport · cases near this 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
12 documents, released by the NTSB on August 18, 2011. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meteorology 5 - Factual Report of Group Chairman | PDF, 20 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Retention / Release of Wreckage Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | GPS 17 - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Witness Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Reports from Federal Agencies - FAA Transcripts | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | ATC radar Data | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Photo - Airplane Wreckage 1 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Photo - Airplane Wreckage 2 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 11 | Photo - Three Propeller Blades | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 12 | Reports from Local Agencies - Witness Comments | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N1085D: not on the register today · the record of its deregistration
- Beechcraft A36 Bonanza 2,530 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Beechcraft 6 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Cont Motor IO-550 SERIES 3,077 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Drake Field · nearest airport
- Memorial Field · departed from
- Accidents and incidents in Arkansas 1,582 since 1982 · 177 in the last ten years
- Arkansas 3,494 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN10FA114.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.