# NTSB ATL83LA343: Smith, Ted Aerostar 600-A, N139TS, Florala, AL, August 29, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1983, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Florala, AL
- Coordinates: 33.119369, -88.149856 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1194&lon=-88.1499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6181
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA343
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6181/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA343

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF ROLL HE EXPERIENCED A POWER SURGE BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT QUIT. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF BY REDUCING POWER ON BOTH ENGINES AND APPLYING BRAKES. THIS RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT SWERVING OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, ROLLING THRU THE GRASS AND STRIKING A CULVERT WHICH SEPARATED THE LANDING GEAR. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION REVEALED: BOTH THROTTLES AT IDLE, MIXTURE AND PROP CONTROLS WERE FULL FORWARD AND FULL RICH AND HIGH RPM ON RESPECTIVE ENGINE CONTROLS. ALL CABLES ATTACHING HARDWARE WAS INTACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N139TS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Smith, Ted Aerostar 600-A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 139
- Airframe hours: 1400
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Wayland E. Tyner
- Registered owner: J&L Building And Carpet Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 1982, 50 hours before
- Departed: CRESTVIEW, FL
- Airport: 0J4, Florala, runway 22, 3,200 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,616 total, 430 in this make and model, 4,423 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CEW, 25 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830829044749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830829044749A), Aug 29, 1983: Piper PA60600A, Florala, AL, Destroyed. Pilot aborted takeoff due to a surging engine. Lost control by abrupt brake and power use. Hit a culvert off runway

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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