# NTSB ATL87DEK01: Smith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 600, N127GS, Columbus, OH, July 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1987, 23:08 local (Jul 14, 1987, 03:08 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, OH
- Coordinates: 40.01012, -82.920059 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0101&lon=-82.9201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7236
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87DEK01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7236/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87DEK01

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - landing lights - inadequate, pilot in command
- Nose gear collapsed, taxi - from landing
  - landing gear,main gear strut - failure,total
  - landing gear,main gear strut - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT TAXIED OFF AN UNLIGHTED TAXIWAY INTO A LARGE DRAINAGE DITCH WHILE TAXIING TO A PARKING RAMP. THE PILOT THOUGHT HE WAS ON THE TAXIWAY BUT THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR WAS ON A PORTION OF THE DRAINAGE DITCH RETAINING WALL. THE RT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE PILOT WAS USING THE LANDING LIGHT INSTEAD OF THE TAXI LIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N127GS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N127GS-1988-03-09), registration cancelled 1988-03-09, S/N 600377134 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 600377134
- Airframe hours: 7006
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Air Continental
- Registered owner: Air Continental Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 13, 1987, 2 hours before
- Departed: CLE, CLEVELAND, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CMH, Port Columbus Int'L.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,603 total, 400 in this make and model, 2,519 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CMH

## 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 19870713037449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870713037449A), Jul 13, 1987: Piper PA60600, Columbus, OH, Substantial damage. The aircraft taxied off the pavement into a culvert. Dark, wet conditions existed. Pilot misjudged his position.

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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