# NTSB CHI88FA010: Smith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 600, N554AC, Oshtemo Townshp, MI, October 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 23, 1987, 03:32 local (07:32 UTC)
- Place: Oshtemo Townshp, MI
- Location: 42.2306° N, 85.6492° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from KALAMAZOO/BATTLE CREEK INTL (AZO), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2306&lon=-85.6492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13923
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13923/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA010

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - 1 engine - failure,total
  - engine assembly,crankcase - cracked
  - maintenance,major repair - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - engine assembly,other - fatigue (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - separation (cause)
  - cooling system,cowling - separation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - bright night (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS AT CRUISE ALTITUDE (9,000 FEET) FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES WHEN THE PILOT REPORTED THE LOSS OF RIGHT ENGINE POWER. CHICAGO ARTCC REPORTED THE CLOSEST AIRPORT WAS KALAMAZOO, 28 MILES WEST. THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO DESCEND AND AT 0330:53 CHICAGO ARTCC REPORTED N554AC WAS APPROXIMATELY 6 MILES FROM KALAMAZOO AIRPORT. THE PILOT REPORTED 'MY RIGHT ENGINE COWLING IS GONE...I DON'T KNOW IF I'M GOING TO MAKE IT.' WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT AT 'TREE TOP LEVEL' AND IMPACT IN A HEAVILY WOODED AREA NEAR INTERSTATE 94, 5 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED IMPROPERWELD REPAIRS TO THE RIGHT ENGINE CASE AND SEPARATION OF THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER FROM THE CASE DUE TO FATIGUE CRACKING IN THE THROUGH BOLTS AND STUDS. THE TOP SECTION OF THE ENGINE COWLING SEPARATED DUE TO THE FORCE OF THE CYLINDER SEPARATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N554AC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N554AC-2013-09-12), registration cancelled 2013-09-12, S/N 60-0029, built 1969 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 60002960
- Airframe hours: 14254
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1J5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Air Continental Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 13, 1987, 33 hours before
- Departed: MKE, MILWAUKEE, WI
- Destination: CLV, CLEVELAND, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: AZO, Kalamazoo

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,290 total, 101 in this make and model, 173 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 45 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 19871023061829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871023061829A), Oct 23, 1987: Piper PA60600, Kalamazoo, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Cylinder separated on right engine and tore off top half of cowling causing drag. Unable to make airport. Crashed.

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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