NTSB Factual Report

On April 22, 2007, about 1445 central daylight time, N360MM, registered as an experimental amateur-built Murphy Aircraft Mfg, Ltd., SR3500 Moose airplane, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with power lines and terrain during approach to The Valley Airport (61AR), near Cotter, Arkansas. A post impact fire occurred. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The flight originated in Clearwater, Florida, and was destined for 61AR.

A Baxter County Sheriff's report stated that witnesses observed the airplane on a downwind leg. A witness reported that there were "'dust devils' everywhere. The wind was changing direction every few minutes/seconds, with very strong gusts at times." The airplane made a steep right turn and the witnesses reported that the right wing "dropped."

At 1435, the recorded weather at the Marion County Regional Airport, near Flippin, Arkansas, was: Wind 180 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 19 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 26 degrees C; dew point 9 degrees C; altimeter 29.95 inches of mercury.

A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector examined the wreckage on-scene. The wreckage came to rest on Denton Ferry Road near County Road 705. Electrical power lines were damaged. The aircraft sustained damage consistent with a post impact fire.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with airplane single engine land and instrument airplane ratings. He held a third class medical certificate dated July 5, 2005, with limitations for corrective lenses. On the application for that medical certificate, he reported that he had accumulated 3,500 hours of total flight time and 60 hours of flight time in the 6 months prior to the application.

N360MM was an experimental amateur-built Murphy Aircraft Mfg, Ltd., SR3500 Moose airplane, serial number 176SR. It was of an all-metal construction and was an externally braced high wing airplane. It was powered by a nine-cylinder Vedeneyev M14P radial engine, serial number RA9112013.

The Baxter County Coroner's Office arranged the pilot's autopsy, which was performed on April 24, 2007.

The FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute prepared a Final Forensic Toxicology Accident Report. The report stated, "QUININE detected in Kidney."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot not maintaining airplane control and airspeed during the approach. Factors were the gusty wind conditions, the inadvertent stall the pilot encountered, and the power lines that were impacted during the uncontrolled descent.