Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith Aerostar 601) in Charleville

Date & Time: Feb 1, 1979 at 0125 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Registration:
VH-CPH
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Charleville – Mount Isa
Location:
Charleville
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After lift-off at 85 knots, the pilot noted a positive rate of climb before retracting the landing gear and flaps. He then felt the aircraft sink and noted a high indicated rate of descent. Although full power was applied the descent continued until the aircraft struck the runway in a slightly nose-up attitude. The aircraft slid across the overrun area and through a fence before coming to rest. Fire broke out and engulfed the wreckage. At the time of the accident the aircraft weight was more than 200 kg above the maximum allowable and the centre of gravity was 142 mm forward of the forward limit. The pilot had been unable to retain control of the aircraft during the initial climb phase when the flaps were retracted at a relatively low airspeed.
Probable cause:
Overweight at takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith Aerostar 601) in Grand Rapids: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1979 at 1922 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Registration:
N7437S
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lansing - Marquette
MSN:
61-0008-025
YOM:
1968
Location:
Grand Rapids-Gerald R. Ford (Kent County)
Michigan
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
2646
Captain / Total hours on type:
195.00
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Lansing Airport, while climbing in poor weather conditions, the pilot was cleared to divert to Grand Rapids-Kent County Airport. On approach, the airplane became uncontrollable and crashed. Two passengers were seriously injured while four other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground on approach after the pilot initiated flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Windshear,
- Ice on windshield,
- Visibility 2 miles or less.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601P) in Hartford: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1978 at 0903 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Registration:
N8999A
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Hartford - Newburgh
MSN:
61-0501-206
YOM:
1978
Location:
Hartford-Brainard
Connecticut
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
3234
Captain / Total hours on type:
170.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Hartford-Brainard Airport, while climbing, the left engine failed while the right engine lost power. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when control was lost. The airplane crashed few miles from the airfield and was destroyed. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground following technical issues with both engines. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Engine structure: piston, piston rings, overheated,
- Exhaust system: external supercharger, erratic,
- Undetermined loss of aircraft control,
- Partial loss of power on one engine,
- Complete engine failure on one engine,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- left engine over temperature piston,
- Right erratic turbo gate.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) into the Gulf of Mexico: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Registration:
N555BU
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Pompano Beach – Panama City
MSN:
61-0001
YOM:
1968
Location:
Gulf of Mexico
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
950
Captain / Total hours on type:
36.00
Circumstances:
En route from Pompano Beach to Panama City, Florida, the airplane crashed under unknown circumstances into the Gulf of Mexico. SAR operations were initiated but no trace of the aircraft nor the pilot was ever found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, it was reported that the pilot-in-command attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment as the altimeters seemed to be defective since a certain time.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar in Dubois: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1978 at 2005 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Henry Weber Air
Registration:
N1BE
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Dubois - Lancaster
MSN:
61-0245-041
YOM:
1976
Location:
DuBois-Jefferson County
Pennsylvania
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:
1230
Captain / Total hours on type:
560.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Dubois-Jefferson County Airport, while in initial climb, the pilot encountered engine trouble. He attempted an emergency landing when the airplane went out of control and crashed near the airport. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during initial climb due to foreign material affecting normal engine operations. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Ice in fuel,
- Fuel starvation,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Improper operation of flight controls,
- Complete engine failure,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Ice was found in fuel flow divider and lines.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601P) in Burns: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1977 at 1150 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Registration:
N9578Q
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
La Verne - La Grande
MSN:
61-368-117
YOM:
1977
Location:
Burns
Oregon
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:
En route from La Verne to La Grande, while in cruising altitude, a wing separated and detached. Out of control, the airplane entered a spin and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Airframe failure in flight and uncontrolled descent after the pilot exceeded designed stress limits of aircraft. The following findings were reported:
- Wings spars,
- Overload failure,
- Separation in flight,
- Wings separated.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) in Framingham

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1976 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Arnold Zohn
Registration:
N90337
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Boston - White Plains
MSN:
61-0195-090
YOM:
1975
Location:
Framingham
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:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1600.00
Circumstances:
En route from Boston to White Plains in normal cruise, both engines failed. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed in Framingham. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure in flight due to fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Powerplant - fuel quantity gauge,
- Forced landing off airport on land.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601P) in Costa Mesa: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 5, 1976 at 1612 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Continental Interiors
Registration:
N7485S
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mazatlán – San Diego – Santa Ana
MSN:
61-0052-097
YOM:
1970
Location:
Santa Ana-John Wayne
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
571
Captain / Total hours on type:
149.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Santa Ana-John Wayne Airport, while at low altitude, the left engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that spun to the ground and crashed in Costa Mesa, about 2,5 miles short of runway 02L. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure and stall on final approach due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel starvation,
- Misjudged distance and altitude,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Poorly planned approach,
- Left propeller not feathered,
- Long low final,
- Got below VMC.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) in La Grande: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1974 at 1340 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Registration:
N7474S
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Hailey - La Grande - Walla Walla
MSN:
61-0045-86
YOM:
1970
Location:
La Grande
Oregon
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
8884
Captain / Total hours on type:
244.00
Circumstances:
While descending to La Grande Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. Flying at low altitude above mountainous terrain, the twin engine airplane struck power cables and crashed in flames on a mountain. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The crew continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions and failed to see and avoid power cables. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling and rain,
- High obstructions,
- Flying at low level below clouds in mountainous terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) in Raymond: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 3, 1973 at 1930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Joseph P. White
Registration:
N7430S
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Albany - Tulsa
MSN:
61-0015
YOM:
1968
Location:
Raymond
Ohio
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:
1234
Captain / Total hours on type:
57.00
Circumstances:
On a flight from Albany to Tulsa, while cruising in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane went out of control and entered a dive until it crashed in an open field located in Raymond, Ohio. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control and uncontrolled descent for undetermined reason. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling, rain and fog,
- No dual check-out.02 system empty,
- Top clouds to 10,000 feet,
- Aircraft intact until impact.
Final Report:
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