# NTSB CHI93FA028: Smith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601, N72AW, Wahpeton, ND, November 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1992, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Wahpeton, ND
- Coordinates: 46.25991, -96.600914 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2599&lon=-96.6009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15576
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93FA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15576/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93FA028

## Probable cause

OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL'S IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (INSTALLATION).

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,line fitting - undertorqued (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,line fitting - leak (contributing factor)
- Fire, taxi - from landing
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,electric boost pump - not switched (contributing factor)
  - battery - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL GROUND RUN, THE RIGHT ENGINE SURGED, HOWEVER POWER WAS REGAINED AND THE TAKEOFF CONTINUED.  DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, THE RIGHT ENGINE SURGED AGAIN AND THE ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP WAS TURNED ON, BUT FUEL PRESSURE WOULD NOT STABILIZE.  THE PILOT PERFORMED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.  WHILE TAXIING A PASSENGER NOTED A FIRE IN THE RIGHT ENGINE.  THE PILOT SHUT DOWN BOTH ENGINES WITH THE MIXTURES, OPENED THE DOOR, AND HE AND HIS TWO PASSENGERS EVACUATED THE AIRPLANE.  THE ENGINE FIRE CONTINUED, EVEN THOUGH AIRPORT PERSONNEL AND A LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT APPLIED FIRE SUPPRESSANT.  THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AFTER THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE AIRPLANE AND TURNED OFF THE MASTER SWITCH. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE FLEXIBLE FUEL LINE BETWEEN THE MECHANICAL FUEL PUMP AND THROTTLE CONTROL BODY WAS LOOSE AT THE FUEL PUMP END.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72AW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72AW-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 61-0219-095, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Smith, Ted Aerostar AEROSTAR 601 (AEROSTAR 6)
- Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 601](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-601) (registry code 8360606) (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: 61-0219-095
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Crop View Corp.
- Registered owner: Crop View Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 22, 1992
- Departed: BWP
- Destination: 3SQ, SAINT CHARLES, MO
- Airport: BWP, Harry Stern

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,040 total, 27 in this make and model, 840 as pilot in command, 101 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAR, 40 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 19921106045829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921106045829A), Nov 6, 1992: Piper PA60601, Wahpeton, ND, Substantial damage. Right engine surge on takeoff. Returned. Fire in right engine taxiing. Found loose fuel line coupling.

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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