# NTSB ATL85MA275: Smith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 600, N680CC, Eva, AL, September 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1985, 11:11 local (16:11 UTC)
- Place: Eva, AL
- Coordinates: 34.330322, -86.749748 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3303&lon=-86.7497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6894
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85MA275
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6894/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85MA275

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - fluid - leak (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - miscellaneous - intentional
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - maintenance - inadequate, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - hydraulic system - pressure too low
  - gear extension - inadvertent (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - inadvertent (contributing factor)
  - level off - not possible
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DRG AN IFR ARRIVAL/DSCNT, THE PLT STATED HE 'HAD TO FEATHER 1 ENG, I HAVE AN OIL LEAK & I'M JUST TRYING TO DSCND . . .' HE THEN SAID HE WAS DSCNDG THRU 5300'. AS HE CONTD THE APCH, HE INFORMED THE CONTROLLER HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO GO AROUND SINCE THE HYDR SYS WAS POWERED BY THE AFFECTED (R) ENG. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLT SAID HE WAS AT 1500' & WAS HAVING A HARD TIME HOLDING ALT. A WITNESS HEARD & SAW THE ACFT IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE AT LOW ALT, THEN SAW THE ACFT DIVE TOWARD THE GROUND. IT IMPACTED IN A STEEP DSCNT JUST SHORT OF A LONG FIELD & BURNED. THE R PROP WAS FEATHERED, BUT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF OIL STARVATION IN EITHER ENG. THE PLT'S NEIGHBOR SAID HE (THE PLT) WAS AWARE OF A HYDR LEAK, BUT HE WAS AWAITING THE ANNUAL INSPN (DUE IN SEP) TO REPAIR IT. AN EXAM REVEALED THE FLAPS WERE PARTIALLY EXTENDED, THE LNDG GEAR CONTROL WAS IN THE 'UP' PSN, & THE GEAR WAS DOWN. THE FLT MANUAL STATED THAT WITH A HYDR FAILURE DOWNSTREAM OF THE ACCUMULATOR, THE FLAP HANDLE SHOULD BE IN 'NEUTRAL' TO PREVENT GEAR & FLAP EXTN. THE FLAP CONTROL COULD NOT BE FND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N680CC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Smith, Ted Aerostar AEROSTAR 600 (AEROSTAR 6)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 60-0031
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-G1B5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William D. Champion
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 26, 1984
- Departed: LAL, LAKELAND, FL
- Destination: HSV, HUNTSVILLE, AL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HSV, Huntsville-Madison County, runway 36R, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,993 total, 97 in this make and model, 326 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HSV, 16 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 19850913044859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850913044859A), Sep 13, 1985: Piper PA60600, Eva, AL, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Feathered right engine, crankshaft nose oil seal leaking. Unable to hold altitude, spun in. Landing gear was down.

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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