# Fatal NTSB investigations: Smith AEROSTAR 601P NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports. ## Latest cases - [NTSB ERA26FA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA271.md): Smith Aerostar 601 · Lake Clear, NY · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jul 14, 2026 · N800AA · Destroyed > On July 13, 2026, about 2236 eastern daylight time, a Smith Aerostar 601P, N800AA was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Lake Clear, New York. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14… - [NTSB GAA22WA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA22WA187.md): Smith Aerostar 601P · Ceballos, Mexico · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · May 23, 2022 · N66CG · Destroyed - [NTSB CEN14FA494](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA494.md): Smith Aerostar 601P · Austin, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 10, 2014 · N711YM · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient clearance from trees during the single-engine landing approach. Contributing to the accident was the loss of power in the left engine due to an improperly installed rubber boot that became dislodged and was then… - [NTSB CEN14FA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA163.md): Smith Aerostar 601P · Aurora, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 19, 2014 · N90464 · Destroyed > The pilot's operation of the airplane while intoxicated, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. - [NTSB ERA12FA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA146.md): Aerostar PA-60-601P · Philadelphia, MS · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 16, 2012 · N700PS · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff following loss of power to the left engine due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the loss of control was the pilot’s failure to feather the left propeller following the loss of left engine… - [NTSB CEN10FA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA108.md): Smith Aerostar 601P · Sugar Grove, IL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 24, 2010 · N222AQ · Destroyed > The pilot's spatial disorientation and subsequent failure to maintain airplane control. - [NTSB NYC07FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07FA038.md): Smith, Ted Aerostar 601P · West Dover, VT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 2006 · N9797Q · Destroyed > A loss of control during approach for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a collision with trees. - [NTSB FTW04FA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04FA204.md): Piper PA-60-601P · Lakeway, TX · Accident · 6 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 3, 2004 · N601BV · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to successfully perform a short-field takeoff and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed during climbout, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. - [NTSB ATL04FA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04FA090.md): Smith Aerostar 601P · Johns Island, SC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 5, 2004 · N869CC · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during emergency descent, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and uncontrolled descent into trees and terrain. A factor was the loss of engine power in one engine due to pre-ignition/detonation. - [NTSB NYC02FA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02FA051.md): Smith Aerostar 601P · Chittenden, VT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 25, 2002 · N104CS · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while holding. - [NTSB NYC00FA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00FA064.md): Aerostar 601P · Coatesville, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 10, 2000 · N905DK · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to follow the published instrument approach procedure, and his failure to establish a climb after passing the missed approach point. - [NTSB FTW99FA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99FA199.md): Smith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601P · Bethany, OK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 23, 1999 · N345LS · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain the minimum controllable airspeed. A factor was the disconnected rubber interconnect boot, which resulted in the partial loss of left engine power. - [NTSB DEN99FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99FA066.md): Smith, Ted Aerostar 601P · Ruidoso, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 23, 1999 · N48MD · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control for undetermined reason. A factor was the low ceiling IMC weather condition. - [NTSB CHI99FA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99FA227.md): Smith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601P · St. Clair Shore, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 1, 1999 · N441CB · Destroyed > Undetermined as the aircraft was not recovered. - [NTSB SEA97FA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97FA094.md): Smith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601P · Klammath Falls, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 27, 1997 · N30LL · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to set the throttle of his second failed engine to 'Cracked-1/2-Open' as called for in the Engine Failure/Restart checklist, followed by a high-power engine surge. Factors include the pilot's delay in landing for refueling, the pilot… - [NTSB IAD97FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97FA039.md): Aerostar 601P · Chesapeake, VA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 3, 1997 · N3CD · Destroyed > failure of the pilot to maintain proper altitude/clearance above the ground after takeoff. A related factor was the pilot's self-induced pressure to depart before the arrival of bad weather. - [NTSB CHI90FA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA096.md): Piper PA-60-601P · Bartonville, IL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 10, 1990 · N410HC · Destroyed > The pilot allowed the aircraft to exceed its design stress limits after encountering adverse weather. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's improper evaluation of the weather and the adverse weather condtions. - [NTSB MIA90FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90FA022.md): Piper 601P · Fort Myers, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 1, 1989 · N50TR · Destroyed > Failure of the pilot to properly follow the IFR procedure and to identify the decision height. Factors related to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions, darkness, the pilot's lack of visual perception without the approach lights, and tree(s) in… - [NTSB ATL89FA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA166.md): Piper PA-60-601P · Lithia Springs, GA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 21, 1989 · N83AT · Destroyed > Inflight engine/wing fire due to a failure of the right engine's left exhaust tailpipe. The exhaust tailpipe failed in fatigue as a result of fluctuating stresses induced by a deteriorated engine mount in conjunction with unevenly distributed clamping loads… - [NTSB CHI88FA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA249.md): Piper PA-60-601P · Columbus, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 1988 · N14HR · Destroyed > Aerodynamically stalled lifting surface causing an uncommanded pitch over at an altitude too low to affect a recovery. - [NTSB NYC87FA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA225.md): Piper PA-60-601P · Atlantic City, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 10, 1987 · N814SG · Destroyed > During the takeoff roll witnesses observed the aircraft swerve from left to right with the engine(s) 'missing' or intermittent. The aircraft lifted off and climbed to approximately 50 feet AGL and continued across a waterway in a leftturn with the landing… - [NTSB ATL87FA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA030.md): Piper Aerostar 601P · Clinton, NC · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 26, 1986 · N122FP · Destroyed > While en route on an IFR flt plan at FL180, the plt acknowledged instructions to dscnd to 16,000'. Later, the radar controller (cltr) noticed the acft had deviate fm course & was not replying with mode 'c' alt info. The ctlr reqd alt info & the plt responded,… - [NTSB SEA85FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA035.md): Smith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601A · Genoa, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 13, 1984 · N9781Q · Destroyed > The plt had flown from carson city, NV to shreveport, la on 12/10/84 for business. At 1530 on 12/12/84, he departed on aflt to corona,CA with refueling stops at albuquerque, NM & phoenix, AZ. He departed phoenix at 2100, but encountered wx & returned to… - [NTSB LAX83FA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA104.md): Piper 601P · San Diego, CA · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 18, 1983 · N90353 · Destroyed > While taking off, the acft climbed aprx 100 to 200 ft, then began loosing alt. During a forced landing on a street, it hit a parked car & a light pole & burst in flames. The plt, who later expired, said that neither eng developed full power (2575 RPM). He… - [NTSB MIA83FA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FA046.md): Piper PA-601P · Valparaiso, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 1982 · N90692 · Destroyed > Two minutes after takeoff the plt reported a loss of the left eng. He was immediately cleared for a landing at eglin afb. While maneuvering for a landing the left eng & wing separated from the acft. The eng was separated from the wing & showed evidence of in… - [NTSB NYC83FA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA004.md): Ted Smith 601P · Augusta, ME · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 29, 1982 · N90439 · Destroyed > Pilot lost control of his aircraft during low altitude maneuvers to align the aircraft for landing. The low ceiling and rising terrain around the airport influenced the pilots decisions to make tight turns at low altitude. The aircraft was stalled and rolled… - [NTSB MIA82FA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82FA120.md): Piper P-60-601P · Titusville, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 18, 1982 · N90702 · Destroyed > Shortly after takeoff witnesses observed the acft in a steep left bank descending until it crashed approximately 1200 ftnw of the departure end of the rwy. According to the pax the initial climb distracting the attention of the plt who lostcontrol of the acft… - [NTSB NYC81FA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FA062.md): Aerostar 601P · Oxford, CT · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jun 22, 1981 · N86BW · Destroyed - [NTSB LAX80FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FA024.md): Aerostar 601P · Bishop, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Dec 9, 1979 · N600WW · Destroyed - [NTSB DEN79FA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FA030.md): Aerostar 601P · Aspen, CO · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Mar 18, 1979 · N35FC · Destroyed - [NTSB FTW79FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA048.md): Aerostar 601P · New Braunfels, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Feb 16, 1979 · N9779Q · Destroyed - [NTSB NYC79FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC79FA014.md): Aerostar 601P · Hartford, CT · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Nov 28, 1978 · N8999A · Destroyed - [NTSB NYC78FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FA023.md): Aerostar 601P · Dubois, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jan 24, 1978 · N1BE · Destroyed - [NTSB SEA77FA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA77FA047.md): Aerostar 601P · Burns, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Aug 12, 1977 · N9578Q · Destroyed ## The whole list in SQL Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS: ```sql SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('8360608')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&model=8360608 --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.