Amateur-built III accident near Ward, Arkansas, October 7, 2026
On October 7, 2026 at about 7:50 pm local time, a 1991 amateur-built III, registered N940J, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Ward, Arkansas (Smith Fld airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 7, 2026 · about 7:50 pm local time · cases in 2026
- Place
- Ward, Arkansas · Smith Fld · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built III NO SERIES, built 1991
- Registration
- N940J · registry record · serial 940
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Other weather encounter during initial climb
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 683 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 3, 2026
- Maximum gross weight: 1,050 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18/3, 3,055 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.91 inHg
- Observation at 3:00 pm from K4M3, 11 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR K4M3 071955Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM 31/09 A2991 RMK A01
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N940J on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Smith Field · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Arkansas 1,582 since 1982 · 177 in the last ten years
- Arkansas 3,493 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN27LA007.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.