# NTSB CHI83FA279: Smith, Ted Aerostar 601A, N727NM, Celina, OH, June 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1983, 11:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Celina, OH
- Coordinates: 40.549686, -84.570434 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5497&lon=-84.5704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12000
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA279
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12000/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA279

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command
  - raising of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)

## Analysis

WHEN THE PLT ARRIVED AT THE DESTINATION ARPT, THERE WAS CONSTRUCTION ON THE RWY, ABOUT 2500 FT FROM THE APCH END. HE CONTACTED UNICOM & WAS ADVISED THAT THE RWY WAS CLOSED, BUT WAS TOLD HE COULD LAND ON THE GRASS BESIDE THE RWY. THE PLT RESPONDED THAT THE GRASS AREA WAS TOO ROUGH. HE STATED, 'I THINK I CAN LAND ON THE RWY AVAILABLE, THERE SEEMS TO BE ENOUGH LENGTH THERE.' SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED APPROACHING RWY 8 AT AN ESTIMATED 30 FT AGL WITH THE GEAR & FLAPS DOWN. REPORTEDLY, THE POWER WAS INCREASED, THE NOSE ASSUMED A CLIMB ATTITUDE & THE GEAR WAS RETRACTED. THE ACFT THEN ROLLED LEFT, DOVE TO THE GROUND & CRASHED. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. AN EVALUATION OF THIS MAKE & MODEL OF ACFT REVEALED THAT WHEN THE CG APPROACHED THE AFT LIMIT, & THE FLAPS WERE EXTENDED, THE ACFT HAD REDUCED YAW & ROLL CONTROLLABILITY DURING POWER ON STALLS. THE FLAPS WERE FOUND FULL DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N727NM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N727NM-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 61-0276-106, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Smith, Ted Aerostar 601A
- Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 601A](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-601a) (registry code 8360607) (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: 610276106
- Airframe hours: 1227
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Norman L. Marxen M.D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 2, 1982, 88 hours before
- Departed: VNW, VAN WERT, OH
- Airport: CQA, Lakefield, runway 8, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,500 total, 1,217 in this make and model, 5,350 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 7 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAY, 35 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 19830624074459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830624074459A), Jun 24, 1983: Piper PA60601, Celina, OH, Destroyed. Stalled on a low slow full flap approach for landing. Emergency AD on aft CG and prohibiting flap use just issued.

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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