Piper PA-38-112 accident near Fort Smith, Arkansas, July 7, 2003
On July 7, 2003 at about 10:45 pm local time, a Piper PA-38-112, registered N569RA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fort Smith, Arkansas (Fort Smith Regional airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during the climb out. A factor was the ditch encountered during the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 7, 2003 · about 10:45 pm local time
- Place
- Fort Smith, Arkansas · Fort Smith Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-38-112 · all PA-38-112s on the register
- Registration
- N569RA · registry record · serial 38-78A0350
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a reported in-flight loss of engine power during initial climb. The pilot reported that the engine stopped with no noticeable loss of power before it stopped during the climb out. The airplane nosed into a ditch during the forced landing. An examination revealed that both fuel tanks were full. Both magnetos produced a spark when rotated. Engine continuity was established. No anomalies were detected.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 237 hours in all; 235 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 182 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 2, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,865 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 23, 2002
- Maximum gross weight: 1,560 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FSM Fort Smith AK at 10:45 pm
- Destination: FSM Fort Smith AR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25, 8,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from FSM, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
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.