Piper PA-22-135 accident near Sheridan, Arkansas, January 31, 2012
On January 31, 2012 at about 5:42 pm local time, a Piper PA-22-135, registered N2677A, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Sheridan, Arkansas (Sheridan Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The passenger’s interference with the flight controls during the initial climb, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 31, 2012 · about 5:42 pm local time · cases in 2012
- Place
- Sheridan, Arkansas · Sheridan Municipal Airport · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-22-135 · all PA-22-135s on the register
- Registration
- N2677A · no longer on the register · serial 22-935
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the takeoff was normal until the airplane was climbing through about 200 feet above the ground, at which time he observed that the passenger suddenly tensed up. The pilot said he was then unable to move the rudder pedals because the passenger was stepping on the passenger-side rudder controls. The airplane skewed to the left, descended, and impacted terrain on the left side of the runway. A postaccident examination confirmed flight control continuity and revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The passenger reported this was his first flight ever in any aircraft. He also reported that he was not pressing on the rudder pedals. However, given the pilot’s experience in the accident airplane and the lack of evidence of a preimpact anomaly, it is likely that the passenger did inadvertently interfere with the rudder pedals.
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
- Cabin safety event during initial climb
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Yaw control › Attain/maintain not possible
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Passenger
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,500 hours in all; 600 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: June 25, 1994
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,529 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 12, 2011; 61 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,950 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming 0-290 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 9M8 Sheridan AR at 5:42 pm
- Destination: 9M8 Sheridan AR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 3,027 ft by 71 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 14 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from KPBF, 23 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on January 2, 2013. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 Was Not Received | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Findings from FAA Inspector | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversations with Passenger | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Maps | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Photo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Weather Summary | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Results of Airport Fuel Facility Testing | 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
- N2677A: not on the register today · the record of its deregistration
- Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer and Colt 2,943 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Piper 44,842 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Lycoming 0-290 SERIES 2,126 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Sheridan-Grant County Regional · nearest airport
- 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/CEN12LA146.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.