# NTSB CHI01LA042: Aerostar PA-60-601P, N713HM, Preston, MN, November 26, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 26, 2000, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Preston, MN - Coordinates: 43.66925, -92.080047 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6692&lon=-92.0800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51084 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51084/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA042 ## Probable cause altitude/clearance from the trees not being obtained/maintained by the pilot. Factors to the accident were the trees and the contamination of the pitot/static system. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - pitot/static system - contamination,other than water (contributing factor) ## Analysis During initial climb after takeoff, the pilot noticed that the airspeed indicator was not increasing past 112-115 mph. The pilot reported that he lowered the nose of the airplane to increase airspeed, but no response was noted on the airspeed indicator. The pilot stated that the airplane made contact with a tree line located at the end of the runway, causing substantial damage to the airplane. The pilot reported, "I pulled up sharply, but clipped the tops of the trees, the airspeed was still at 115 MPH IAS [Indicated Airspeed] with 12+ degrees nose up, and the airplane climbing rapidly. I then looked at the GPS [Global Positioning System] ground speed read out, and realized that it was at 140 KTS [Knots]. After assessing things, it became obvious that airspeed was not reading correctly." The pilot stated, "I had a problem six weeks ago with a mud dauber wasp building a nest in the pitot tube, but this had been cleared out, and the aircraft flown several times since." ## Factual narrative On November 26, 2000, at 1000 central standard time, an Aerostar PA-60-601P, N713HM, owned and operated by a commercial pilot sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with trees during initial climb from runway 28 (4000 feet by 75 feet, ice-covered/asphalt) at the Fillmore County Airport, Preston, Minnesota. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. The pilot and his sole passenger reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and the pilot performed a precautionary landing at the Quad City International Airport, Moline, Illinois, subsequent to the in-flight collision with the trees. According to the pilot's written statement, "I initiated the takeoff, on runway 28 accelerated to 100 MPH, rotated & lifted off. The gear and flaps were raised, and the aircraft stopped accelerating at about 112-115 MPH. I lowered the nose to pick up some speed, but it still wouldn't accelerate. I could see the trees approaching west of the airport & knew I didn't have climb speed, but also knew there was no choice but to pull up & hope I didn't stall." The pilot reported, "I pulled up sharply, but clipped the tops of the trees, the airspeed was still at 115 MPH IAS [Indicated Airspeed] with 12+ degrees nose up, and the airplane climbing rapidly. I then looked at the GPS [Global Positioning System] ground speed read out, and realized that it was at 140 KTS [Knots]. After assessing things, it became obvious that airspeed was not reading correctly." The pilot reported that he requested to divert from his IFR flight plan and land at the Quad City International Airport, Moline, Illinois, to determine the extent of damage to the airplane. The pilot stated, "During the trip to Moline, the airspeed indicator stayed at 115 MPH for about 15 minutes then pegged out at the back side of the "0" indication, and stayed there for a few minutes and came back to 160 KTS. My GPS was showing about 170 KTS at 7000 ft during the trip." The pilot reported, "I had a problem six weeks ago with a mud dauber wasp building a nest in the pitot tube, but this had been cleared out, and the aircraft flown several times since." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N713HM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N713HM), registered now, S/N 61P-0449-172, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aerostar PA-60-601P - Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-601p) (registry code 8360608) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 61P-0449-17Z - Airframe hours: 1854 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-S1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary Francis Mcnear - Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2000, 15 hours before - Departed: 49Y - Destination: MLI, MOLINE, IL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 49Y, Filmore County Airport, runway 28, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 18,286 total, 223 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 6 knots - Visibility: 0.25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 100 ft - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RST, 20 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 20001126040259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001126040259A), Nov 26, 2000: Piper PA60601P, Preston, MN, No damage. (-23) On November 21, 2000, a Piper PA60-601P aircraft during takeoff from Fillmore County Airport, Preston, MN struck trees at the end of the runway. The… ## Other investigations on N713HM (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW03WA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03WA234), Sep 21, 2003: Piper PA-60 (N713HM), Pavas, Costa Rica, substantial damage 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.