NTSB Releases Details on May Plane Crash near Berryville

The National Transportation Safety Board has released additional details about a plane crash that occurred in Carroll County in late May.

According to an NTSB incident report, the crash happened around 6:15 p.m. May 25 at Trigger Gap Airstrip near Berryville.

Three people from Greenwood, Arkansas, were aboard a Cessna 172 Skyhawk at the time of the crash. The report identified two of the occupants, ages 25 and 53, as crewmembers.

According to the NTSB's narrative history of the flight, the aircraft proceeded to the runway, where a runup was performed and the engine performance and flight controls were checked. The engine was then operated at full throttle with the mixture set to rich and the flaps set to 10 degrees. The brakes were released, and the aircraft began its takeoff roll.

During the takeoff, the pilot realized the aircraft would not clear a power line and trees near the end of the runway, according to the report. The pilot veered left and pulled back, but the aircraft lost energy and impacted the ground at the end of the runway.

Notes from an NTSB investigator dated the day after the crash state that one occupant was transported to Washington Regional Medical Center after suffering injuries from striking the instrument panel and control stick.

The investigator also reported that the propeller struck the ground first. Evidence from the propeller indicated that the engine was running and producing power when the aircraft made contact with the dirt runway.

The aircraft sustained substantial damage and was considered non-repairable, according to the NTSB report.