Cessna R172K accident near Lakeview, Arkansas, December 31, 1997
On December 31, 1997 at about 10:45 pm local time, a Cessna R172K, registered N736VQ, was destroyed in an accident near Lakeview, Arkansas (Gaston'S airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment during the approach, and his delayed decision to execute a go-around. A related factor was the sunglare interfering with the pilot's view.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 31, 1997 · about 10:45 pm local time
- Place
- Lakeview, Arkansas · Gaston'S · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna R172K · all R172Ks on the register
- Registration
- N736VQ · no longer on the register · serial R1722825
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that after returing to the 3,200 ft turf airstrip to land, he descended to 1,400 feet MSL and entered a left downwind for runway 24. He added that after configuring the airplane for landing, he turned final approach. The pilot further stated that 'in the course of the final approach, the sun suddenly blinded me and I didn't have any forward vision.' He concluded with the statement, 'I apparently drifted to the right of course and struck a tree . . .' The right wing of the airplane impacted trees located north of the final approach course. The non-rated passenger, who was seated in the right front seat, also stated that 'on landing we were blinded by the sun.' The airplane was equipped with sun visors for both front seats.
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
- Flight time: 425 hours in all; 378 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 395 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,100 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 5, 1997; 11 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-360-K (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FLP Flippin AR at 10:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 3,200 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:51 pm from HRO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.