Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) off Honolulu: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-EHR
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
60-0312-116
YOM:
1977
Location:
Honolulu
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a delivery flight, the airplane being transferred to its new owner. In unclear circumstances, the aircraft crashed into the sea off Honolulu. Despite intensive search, the aircraft and the pilot were not recovered.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be determined.

Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith Aerostar 600) in Sikeston: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 22, 1979 at 1325 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)
Operator:
Cape Central Airways
Registration:
N90501
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Sikeston - Sikeston
MSN:
60-0289-109
YOM:
1976
Location:
Sikeston
Missouri
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6407
Captain / Total hours on type:
275.00
Circumstances:
While in traffic pattern at Sikeston Airport, the twin engine airplane suffered an engine failure. It lost height then struck power cables and crashed in a field. The pilot was killed and the passenger was injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure and subsequent collision with power cables due to improper maintenance on part of the maintenance personnel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel system: ram air assembly, collapsed,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Complete failure one engine,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Engine air inlet duct collapsed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith Aerostar 600) in Templeton: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1979 at 1110 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)
Operator:
Northeast Cellulose
Registration:
N8022J
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Boston - Syracuse
MSN:
60-0526-170
YOM:
1978
Location:
Templeton
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1600
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude in good weather conditions, en route from Boston to Syracuse, the twin engine airplane collided with a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain owned by the Tamposi-Nash Real Estate Group and registered N33TN. En route from Concord to White Plains, it was carrying two passengers and one pilot. Following the collision, both aircraft entered a dive and crashed near Templeton. Both aircraft were destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
In-flight collision with another aircraft after the pilot failed to see and avoid other traffic while cruising in an uncontrolled area.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) in Jacksonville: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 19, 1978 at 0050 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)
Operator:
Custom Air
Registration:
N868Y
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bridgeport – Jacksonville
MSN:
60-0010
YOM:
1969
Location:
Jacksonville
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
10457
Captain / Total hours on type:
6.00
Circumstances:
While circling in the traffic pattern to Jacksonville Airport, both engines failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed. It was destroyed upon impact and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Double engine and subsequent crash due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Fuel starvation,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Fuel valves in crossfeed,
- 16 gallons of fuel found in fuselage tank not available to engine in crossfeed.
Final Report:

Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) in Morganfield: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 8, 1976 at 1326 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)
Operator:
Bill Hames Shows
Registration:
N7549S
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Morganfield - Morganfield
MSN:
60-0180-079
Location:
Morganfield
Kentucky
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
17000
Captain / Total hours on type:
50.00
Circumstances:
Just after takeoff from Morganfield, while climbing, the airplane stalled and crashed in a field. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants have been killed. The crew was completing a local test flight after a paraplegic rudder control device was installed on the left rudder pedal.
Probable cause:
Stall after the pilot failed to follow approved procedures. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Simulated conditions,
- Unapproved modification,
- Interference with flight controls,
- Right engine magneto switch in OFF position.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) in Mansfield

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1975 at 2215 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)
Operator:
Registration:
N12PB
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Elyria – Cincinnati
MSN:
60-0023-41
YOM:
1969
Location:
Mansfield-Lahm
Ohio
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4610
Captain / Total hours on type:
392.00
Circumstances:
While cruising by night on a cargo flight from Elyria to Cincinnati, the pilot encountered technical problems with an engine and was cleared to divert to Mansfield-Lahm Airport. While completing a last turn, the airplane stalled and crashed few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure due to fuel injection system issue. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Foreign material affecting normal operations,
- Engine loaded up,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Misjudged distance and altitude,
- Airport conditions,
- Complete engine failure,
- Rubber diaphragm ruptured,
- Engine flooded,
- Low approach due to wrong visibility cues-upsloping runway,
- Spun during turn.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) in Bunnell: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 28, 1975 at 0934 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)
Operator:
Klorer-Willhardt Inc.
Registration:
N90390
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
West Palm Beach – Toledo
MSN:
60-0233-097
Location:
Bunnell
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
515
Captain / Total hours on type:
29.00
Circumstances:
En route from West Palm Beach to Toledo, OH, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity and turbulences. While cruising in clouds, he lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed in a huge explosion in Bunnell. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control and uncontrolled descent due to improper in-flight decisions and after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorms,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Rain,
- Suspect window or windshield failure during uncontrolled descent.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith Aerostar 600) in Perkasie: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 15, 1974 at 0750 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)
Operator:
Seiz Corp.
Registration:
N14ES
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Perkasie – Williamsport
MSN:
60-0036-79
YOM:
1970
Location:
Perkasie-Pennridge
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Just after takeoff from Perkasie-Pennbridge Airport, while climbing, the twin engine airplane entered a nose down attitude then plunged into the earth and crashed in flames in a wooded area. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. The aircraft was observed pitch down into wooded area. Loss of pitch control for undetermined reasons. Cockpit area destroyed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) in Victoria

Date & Time: Dec 4, 1971 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)
Operator:
Overhead Door Company
Registration:
N7497S
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Muskogee - Victoria
MSN:
60-0048-109
YOM:
1970
Location:
Victoria
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2250
Captain / Total hours on type:
395.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Victoria Regional Airport, Texas, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds and fog. On final, he descended below MDA when the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed. All five occupants were injured, two of them seriously, and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- Flight and navigation instruments: altimeters,
- Improper clearance/tolerance,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Low ceiling and fog,
- Weather slightly worse than forecast,
- The pilot descended below minimus, below MDA,
- Altitude read 130-140 feet too high,
- Pilot was not given updated weather by FSS.
Final Report:
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