# NTSB ATL85LA260: Smith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601P, N9763Q, Prestonburg, KY, August 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1985, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Prestonburg, KY
- Coordinates: 37.670562, -82.76033 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6706&lon=-82.7603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6864
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA260
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6864/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA260

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,tire - burst (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,tire - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE ON SHORT FINAL THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED A DOWN DRAFT WHICH CAUSED A SUDDEN LOSS OF ALTITUDE RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT TIRE BLEW ON LANDING AND THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF OF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED THE TREES ON THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY AND LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9763Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Smith, Ted Aerostar AEROSTAR 601P (AEROSTAR 6)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61P0437-163
- Airframe hours: 2450
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Doverspike Bro. Coal Co, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LWB, LEWISBURG, WV
- Destination: 3I6, PRESTONBURG, KY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 3I6, Combs, runway 31, 3,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,353 total, 39 in this make and model, 5,700 as pilot in command, 103 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19850815041349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850815041349A), Aug 15, 1985: Piper PA60601P, Prestonburg, KY, Substantial damage. Encountered downdraft and landed hard resulting in left main tire blowout. Aircraft departed side of the 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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