# NTSB DEN86LA095: Smith, Ted Aerostar 601P Aerostar, N35DM, Dickinson, ND, March 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1986, 13:24 local (20:24 UTC)
- Place: Dickinson, ND
- Coordinates: 46.879005, -102.779991 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8790&lon=-102.7800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16934
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16934/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA095

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr procedures - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ENROUTE ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN, THE PLT CHANGED DESTINATION TO DICKINSON, ND, WHICH EXTENDED THE LENGTH OF THE FLT. HE DID NOT DESIGINATE AN ALTERNATE ARPT OR HAVE AN ADEQUATE FUEL RESERVE AS REQUIRED. ON ARRIVAL AT THE DESTINATION, HE EXECUTED AN INSTRUMENT APCH IN IMC. AFTER DESCENT BELOW THE CLOUDS, THE ACFT WAS NOT IN POSITION TO MAKE A NORMAL LANDING. THE PLT MADE A GO-AROUND AND ATTEMPTED TO FLY A VFR TRAFFIC PATTERN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ALIGN THE ACFT FOR LANDING HE ALLOWED THE ACFT TO STALL, DESCEND AND IMPACT THE GROUND. THE ACFT TRAVELED ACROSS THE ARPT INTERSECTING RUNWAYS AND CAME TO REST IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THE ACFT EXCEEDED MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT TAKEOFF LIMITS ON DEPARTURE AND FORWARD CG LIMIT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35DM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35DM-2013-08-13), registration cancelled 2013-08-13, S/N 61P-0247-042, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Smith, Ted Aerostar 601P AEROSTAR (601P AEROS)
- 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: 61P-0247
- Airframe hours: 2208
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1A5MM 340 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dsi Leasing, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 1985, 50 hours before
- Departed: BFI, SEATTLE, WA
- Destination: DIK, DICKINSON, ND
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DIK, Dickinson, runway 32, 5,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,319 total, 116 in this make and model, 7,050 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DIK

## 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 19860309008309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860309008309A), Mar 9, 1986: Piper PA60601P, Dickinson, ND, Substantial damage. During a skidding turn during the circling maneuver, aircraft stalled, impacted ground off runway.

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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