# NTSB DEN07CA057: Smith, Ted Aerostar 601P, N88JE, Craig, CO, January 21, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 21, 2007, 14:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Craig, CO
- Coordinates: 40.49139, -107.525276
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4914&lon=-107.5253&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65236
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07CA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65236/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA057

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper in-flight planning and unsuitable area selected for landing.  A contributing factor was the snow covered terrain and runway.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he had been informed by an individual located at the airport that the runway had been plowed.  However, the runway had not been plowed, and there was approximately two inches of snow on the runway surface.  Due to "bright whiteout conditions" surrounding the airport, the pilot reported that there was "no visible contrast to any roads or runways on the airport."  During the approach, the pilot observed two ridges of snow approximately 50 feet apart, which he assumed to be the runway.  Subsequently, the pilot landed the airplane in the snow adjacent to the runway.  Upon touchdown, the nose and right main gear collapsed.  Examination of the airplane revealed the forward pressure bulkhead was damaged, and the right aileron was buckled.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he had been informed by an individual located at the airport that the runway had been plowed.  However, the runway had not been plowed, and there was approximately two inches of snow on the runway surface.  Due to "bright whiteout conditions" surrounding the airport, the pilot reported that there was "no visible contrast to any roads or runways on the airport."  During the approach, the pilot observed two ridges of snow approximately 50 feet apart, which he assumed to be the runway.  Subsequently, the pilot landed the airplane in the snow adjacent to the runway.  Upon touchdown, the nose and right main gear collapsed.  The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured.  Examination of the airplane revealed the forward pressure bulkhead was damaged, and the right aileron was buckled.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88JE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88JE-2016-08-25), registration cancelled 2016-08-25, S/N 61P-0225-029, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Smith, Ted Aerostar 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: 61P0225029
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Ed Widner
- Registered owner: J G Management Systems
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AJZ, Delta, CO
- Destination: CAG, Craig, CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CAG, Craig-Moffat Airport, runway 7, 5,600 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 40,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 75 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20070121000469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070121000469A), Jan 21, 2007: Piper PA60601P, Craig, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot made an approach into Craig-Moffat Airport after a snow berm moved through the area. The airport had not been plowed since the snow fall, the…

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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