Beech A-23-19 accident near Big Island, Arkansas, May 27, 1988
On May 27, 1988 at about 10:30 pm local time, a Beech A-23-19, registered N3618Q, was destroyed in an accident near Big Island, Arkansas (Big Island airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
INCAPACITATION OF THE PILOT DUE TO A MEDICAL EVENT WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 27, 1988 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Big Island, Arkansas · Big Island · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A-23-19 A-23-1900 · all A-23-19s on the register
- Registration
- N3618Q · no longer on the register · serial MB-248
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED AN INCAPACITATING MEDICAL EVENT WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING THE INITIAL SEGMENT OF TAKEOFF. AUTOPSY FINDINGS LISTED THE CAUSE OF DEATH AS 'DROWNING IN ASSOCIATION WITH ARTERIOSCLEROTIC HEART DISEASE'. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE WATERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND SUBMERGED IN APPROXIMATELY 12 FEET OF WATER. THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE, TO INCLUDE THE ENGINE, FAILED TO REVEAL EVIDENCE OF ENGINE OR AIRFRAME MALFUNCTIONS.
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: 274 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 230 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,363 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 2, 1987; 43 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: 7M1 Mcghee AR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0, 1,500 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from GLH, 64 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.