# NTSB ATL86FA147: Smith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 600, N260A, Dickson, TN, May 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1986, 03:50 local (08:50 UTC)
- Place: Dickson, TN
- Coordinates: 36.070281, -87.370536 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0703&lon=-87.3705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6943
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6943/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA147

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - obscuration
  - weather condition - fog
  - light condition - night
  - flt control syst,elevator trim/tab control - failure,total (cause)
  - electrical system,electric wiring - disconnected (cause)
  - electrical system,electric wiring - overtemperature (cause)
  - trim setting - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - climb - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED ELECTRICAL WIRES AND TREES SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE ACFT THEN DESCENDED TO IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE ELEVATOR TRIM ACTUATOR ROD WAS EXTENDED 2.5 INCHES WHICH CORRELATES WITH A FULL NOSE DOWN SETTING. FURTHER EXAMINATION SHOWED THE BUSS WIRE FOR THE ACTUATOR RETRACT SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED AT THE RETRACT SWITCH POST. SPLATTERED COPPER WAS FOUND ON THE RETRACT SWITCH INDICATING THE BUSS WIRE HAD BEEN SUBJECTED TO HIGH AMPERAGE. THE LIMITATIONS SECTION OF THE PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK FOR THIS ACFT DOES NOT STATE THAT TAKEOFF IS PROHIBITED WITH INOPERATIVE PITCH TRIM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N260A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N260A-2012-09-18), registration cancelled 2012-09-18, S/N 60-0496-161, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Smith, Ted Aerostar AEROSTAR 600 (AEROSTAR 6)
- Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 600](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-600) (registry code 8360602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 60-496-161
- Airframe hours: 1602
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1J5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John K. Gray
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 2, 1985
- Departed: M02, DICKSON, TN
- Destination: PBI, PALM BEACH, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MO2, Dickson Municipal, runway 17, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,022 total, 6 in this make and model, 846 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNA, 40 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 19860529019829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860529019829A), May 29, 1986: Piper PA60600, Dickson, TN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft failed to clear trees on takeoff. Pitch trim found full nose down. Pilot failed to override controls.

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.

---
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.