# NTSB DFW05CA201: Smith Aerostar 601P, N15BA, Sinton, TX, August 4, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 4, 2005, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Sinton, TX - Coordinates: 28.043056, -97.548332 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0431&lon=-97.5483&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: San Antonio, Texas, (SAT) - NTSB case key (mKey): 62123 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA201 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62123/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA201 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff and the subsequent loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing factors were the attempted operation of the airplane with known deficiencies in the equipment and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor) - reason for occurrence undetermined, pilot in command (cause) - 2 engines (cause) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis After takeoff for a maintenance check flight, both engines on the twin-engine airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The 7,200-hour pilot had recently purchased the airplane, which had not been flown for nearly four years. The pilot, who is also a certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic, completed the inspection of the airplane prior to takeoff. During the engine run-up, the pilot noticed that the RPM and manifold pressure on the left engine did not correspond with those of the right engine. During the takeoff roll, the pilot believed the RPM on both engines began to rise to near acceptable levels, but not entirely. However, he did not abort the takeoff. The airplane became airborne for a short time, and then began to descend into trees before impacting the ground. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On August 4, 2005, approximately 0800 central daylight time, a twin-engine Smith Aerostar 601P airplane, N15BA, was destroyed when it impacted terrain following a reported loss of engine power while attempting to take-off from the San Patricio County Airport (T69) near Sinton, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot , sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by private individuals. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the maintenance check flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The 7,200-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he had recently purchased the airplane. He added that the airplane had not been flown in nearly four years due to a propeller strike requiring extensive maintenance to the left engine and the replacement of the right engine. The pilot, who is also a certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic, completed the airplane's maintenance inspection before beginning the maintenance check flight. The pilot stated, prior to take-off, "[he] noticed the left engine manifold pressure [was] higher than the right engine, and the left engine revolutions per minute (RPM) was approximately 200 RPM lower than the right engine." The pilot further stated, "this should have been cause for aborting the takeoff run immediately," yet he elected to continue with the takeoff on Runway 32 (a 4,323 feet long by 55 feet wide runway). During the takeoff roll, "the RPM was rapidly compensated for by the increase in manifold pressure, but not entirely." The pilot added that he made power adjustments "late in the takeoff roll (1/4 to 1/2 runway length), as the airplane's acceleration seemed acceptable at the time. However, after lift-off the climb was tepid. Sluggish!" The pilot added that "about 50 feet or so it did not want to climb." The airplane then began to descend into trees at the departure end of the runway where it impacted terrain, and slid approximately 300 yards before coming to rest. A post-impact fire ensued. The pilot added, "[the] flight should have been aborted until deficiencies were corrected for." The reason for the loss of engine could not be determined. At 0751, the automated surface observing system at the Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP), near Corpus Christi, Texas, located approximately 15 miles south of the accident site reported wind calm, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 1,900 feet, temperature 79 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 73 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 30.01 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N15BA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15BA-2007-02-21), registration cancelled 2007-02-21, S/N 61P-0382-126, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Smith 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: 61P-0382-126 - Airframe hours: 3943 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-SER 290 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming TIO-540 SER 290 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James W. Kincaid - Registered owner: James W Kincaid - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2000, 10 hours before - Departed: T69, Sinton, TX - Destination: T69 - Airport: T69, San Patricio County Airport, runway 32, 4,323 × 55 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 7,200 total, 20 in this make and model, 7,100 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KCRP, 15 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 20050804020619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050804020619A), Aug 4, 2005: Piper PA60601P, Sinton, TX, Destroyed. (-23) On August 4, 2005, N15BA departed San Patricio County Airport, Sinton, TX on a test flight after aircraft repairs. Upon takeoff roll, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.