# NTSB ATL86LA019: Piper Aerostar 601P, N601PC, Sylacauga, AL, November 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1985, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Sylacauga, AL
- Coordinates: 33.170177, -86.26052 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1702&lon=-86.2605&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): 7032
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7032/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA019

## 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)
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF GROUND RUN THE PLT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE ACFT WHICH RAN OFF THE SIDE OF THE RWY AND INTO A GROVE OF TREES. THE PLT STATED THAT THE RIGHT ENG LOST PWR, HOWEVER, THE ENG WAS TEST RUN AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND NO DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N601PC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER AEROSTAR 601P (AEROSTAR 6)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0602793269
- Airframe hours: 1072
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dura Wear Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 4, 1985, 54 hours before
- Departed: SCD, SYLACAUGA, AL
- Destination: BHM, BIRMINGHAM, AL
- Airport: SCD, Lee Merkle Fld, runway 9, 4,720 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,139 total, 518 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19851106056119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851106056119A), Nov 6, 1985: Piper PA60601P, Sylacauga, AL, Substantial damage. After several aborted takeoff runs directional control was lost. Aircraft struck trees. No engine malfunction found

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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