# NTSB CHI84LA137: Smith, Ted Aerostar 600, N9823Q, Detroit, MI, March 23, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1984, 22:18 local (Mar 23, 1984, 03:18 UTC)
- Place: Detroit, MI
- Coordinates: 42.32941, -83.050148 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3294&lon=-83.0501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12568
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12568/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA137

## 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 - to takeoff
  - light condition - dark night
  - airport facilities,taxiway condition - inadequate (cause)
  - other airport/runway maintenance - not maintained, airport personnel (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, taxi - to takeoff
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE TAXIWAY COLLAPSED UNDER THE ACFT AS THE PLT PREPARED FOR TAKEOFF. THE ASPHALT SURFACE GAVE WAY DUE TO SUB-SURFACE EROSION AND A FOUR FT HOLE RESULTED. THE ACFTS LEFT MAIN GEAR WAS SHEARED OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9823Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9823Q-2004-06-14), registration cancelled 2004-06-14, S/N 60-0466-154, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Smith, Ted Aerostar 600
- 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: 60-0466-154
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1F5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Federal Armored Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: MKG, MUSEGAN, MI
- Airport: DET, Detroit City

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial, airline transport, 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: 3,392 total, 237 in this make and model, 3,278 as pilot in command, 202 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,100 ft broken
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DET

## 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 19840322008519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840322008519A), Mar 22, 1984: Piper PA60600A, Detroit, MI, Substantial damage. Taxiway gave way allowing wheel of aircraft to drop in hole causing substantial damage to aircraft.

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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