“Fatal Plane Crash at Lake Hamilton Claims Life of Daniel Dale Jones”

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary report on a plane crash that occurred in late June at Lake Hamilton in Arkansas. The crash resulted in the death of the pilot, identified as Daniel Dale Jones, and serious injuries to the passenger.

According to the report, the passenger stated that they had recently purchased the single-engine Cessna 177 airplane and were flying it from Las Cruces International Airport in New Mexico to Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The plane had undergone interior renovations before the flight.

On the day before the crash, the plane made a stop at Sweetwater, Texas, where the fuel gauges showed “empty” and “3/4” upon landing. The passenger stated that the tanks were filled before departing from Sweetwater. Due to adverse weather near the intended destination of Memorial Field Airport in Hot Springs, the pilot decided to divert to Sevier County Airport in De Queen.

During the flight, the passenger reported that the engine would start “stumbling” when attempting to lean the mixture. On approach to the runway at Sevier County Airport, a “metal grinding” noise was heard when the pilot activated carburetor heat. The plane made a go-around and landed safely on the second approach.

The next morning, the pilot and passenger attempted to refuel the plane at De Queen but were unsuccessful. They determined there was enough fuel to reach Hot Springs Airport based on a fuel stick measurement. However, the airport manager reported that no fuel was dispensed despite the pilot’s credit card transaction being processed.

As the plane approached Hot Springs Airport, the pilot announced over the radio that they were low on fuel. The plane experienced a total loss of engine power and stalled, crashing into the water in a nose-down position.

The NTSB investigation into the crash is expected to take 12 to 24 months to complete..