Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) off Chicago: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 3, 1973 at 0525 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Registration:
N8MW
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Cleveland - Chicago
MSN:
61-0029
YOM:
1969
Location:
Chicago-Merrill C. Meigs
Illinois
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 cargo flight from Cleveland to Chicago. While he was approaching Chicago-Merrill C. Meigs Airport by night, weather conditions worsened with fog and a limited visibility. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed into Lake Michigan about 1,5 mile northeast of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent following improper in-flight decisions. The following factors were reported:
- Continued under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions,
- Spatial disorientation,
- Fog,
- Sighted field cancelled IFR,
- Weather deteriorated with 2 miles visibility in fog.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Jun 1, 1973 at 2113 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Registration:
N711ED
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Buffalo - Pittsburgh
MSN:
61-0009
YOM:
1968
Location:
Hamburg
New York
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:
1195
Captain / Total hours on type:
217.00
Circumstances:
The crew departed Buffalo Airport on a cargo flight to Pittsburgh. Few minutes after takeoff, the right engine caught fire and the crew declared an emergency. The fire spread to the engine nacelle and the right wing that detached. Out of control, the airplane dove into the ground and crashed in flames in an open field located in Hamburg, about 15,5 miles south of Buffalo Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Fire of undetermined source in the right engine resulted in an in-flight separation of the right wing.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1971 at 1305 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
REI Industries
Registration:
N7480S
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Fort Worth - Fort Worth
MSN:
61-0047-092
YOM:
1970
Location:
Fort Worth-Meacham
Texas
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
Circumstances:
The crew (pilot and engineers) was engaged in a local test flight. After takeoff from Fort Worth-Meacham Airport, while in initiale climb, both engines misfired. The pilot shut down the right engine and feathered its propeller when control was lost. the airplane crashed near the runway end and was destroyed upon impact. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the powerplant ignition system due to spark plug failure. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection on part of the maintenance personnel,
- The pilot-in-command failed to follow the approved procedures,
- The pilot-in-command failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Partial loss of power on both engines,
- Engines misfired due to fouled plugs,
- Gear not retracted.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1971 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Registration:
N566Y
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Woodruff – Manitowish Waters
MSN:
61-0017
YOM:
1968
Location:
Woodruff-Lakeland
Wisconsin
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Woodruff-Lakeland Airport, while in initial climb, both engines lost power. The airplane stalled and crashed in a field past the runway end. The pilot and a passenger were killed while four other passengers were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The pilot-in-command failed to follow the approved procedures and the ground crew improperly serviced the aircraft. The following factors were reported:
- Improper fuel grade,
- Partial loss of power on both engines,
- The aircraft was refueled with jet fuel,
- The pilot also performed as copilot on the company Learjet and completed his conversion last June 6.
Final Report:

Crash of a Ted Smith 601 in Santa Fe: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1969 at 0915 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Registration:
N7442S
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Santa Fe – Dallas
MSN:
61-0025-054
YOM:
1969
Location:
Santa Fe
New Mexico
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
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Santa Fe Airport, the airplane failed to gain sufficient speed but the pilot did not abandoned the procedure and continued. After liftoff, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height then stalled and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Improper operation of powerplant & powerplant controls and inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to abort takeoff,
- High density altitude,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Takeoff made with mixture controls too lean,
- Density altitude about 8,200 feet,
- Insufficient runway for takeoff.
Final Report:
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