Amateur-built SKYHOPPER accident near Jonesboro, Arkansas, September 6, 1997
On September 6, 1997 at about 7:00 pm local time, a amateur-built SKYHOPPER, registered N4186C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Jonesboro, Arkansas (Mcdaniels airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to obtain/maintain the aircraft's airspeed. Factors were the high density altitude and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 6, 1997 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Jonesboro, Arkansas · Mcdaniels · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SKYHOPPER
- Registration
- N4186C · no longer on the register · serial 001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The aircraft had reached an altitude of approximately 15 feet AGL during the takeoff initial climb when it would no longer sustain flight. The airplane descended below powerlines and the pilot landed the airplane in a field to the right of the runway extended centerline, in order to avoid a residence located near the departure end of the runway. During the landing the aircraft contacted high weeds, the nose struck the ground, and the aircraft flipped over coming to rest inverted. The pilot reported that there were no discrepancies with the airplane or the engine. Witnesses observed the airplane 'shake' and 'wobbling' descending to the ground. The runway at the unimproved and abandoned airport had not been mowed and tall grass prevailed for the entire length of the runway. At a field elevation of 262 feet and a temperature of 88 degree F., density altitude was calculated at 2,000 feet. The pilot upheld that his logbook had been destroyed and that he held a private pilot certificate. Research has not revealed any evidence of the issuance of a private pilot certificate.
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
- Flight time: 265 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 624 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 24, 1995; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 950 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C85 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE at 7:00 pm
- Destination: NONE
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 1,600 ft by 125 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:50 pm from KJB, 4 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.