# NTSB DFW05CA247: Smith, Ted Aerostar 601P, N909KF, Mexia, TX, September 22, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 21, 2005, 19:30 local (Sep 22, 2005, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Mexia, TX - Coordinates: 31.639722, -96.514724 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6397&lon=-96.5147&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 5 minor - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Fort Worth, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 62532 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA247 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62532/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=62532 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA247 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the barn. Contributing factors were the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation and the high-density altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - climb - not attained, pilot in command - object - building(nonresidential) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis The 700-hour private pilot flying the twin-engine airplane with four passengers aboard used approximately three-quarters of runway 18 before becoming airborne. After establishing a positive rate of climb, the pilot retracted the landing gear and pitched the airplane for a 92 knot climb. Shortly thereafter the rate of climb decreased and the airplane's control authority began to decay. The pilot responded by applying full throttle to both engines and reduced the angle of attack in an attempt to regain airspeed. The pilot was able to arrest the airplane's decaying airspeed and descent; however, the airplane collided with a barn and then a grassy field before coming to rest in an upright position. The pilot and passengers were able to egress the airplane unassisted and the airplane was engulfed in flames a few minutes later. About 23 minutes after the mishap the weather reporting station 24 miles north of the accident site reported, the wind from 230 degrees at 6 knots, the temperature 84 degrees Fahrenheit, and dew point of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Runway 18 was reported as a 4,002-foot long by 60-foot wide asphalt runway with trees near the departure end. The field elevation at the airport was reported at 544 feet and the density altitude was calculated at 1,860 feet. The estimated weight of the airplane at the time of departure was near its maximum gross weight of 6,000 pounds. The pilot reported that he had not performed a weight and balance check, calculated density altitude, and was not sure of how much fuel was onboard the airplane prior to departure. The pilot further reported that there were no apparent anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative This report is based on information received by the NTSB. Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case. For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N909KF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N909KF-2008-12-02), registration cancelled 2008-12-02, S/N 61P0484196, built 1978 (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 IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-520-series) (registry code 41584, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 61P0484196 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 290 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sky Lifts LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LXY, Mexia, TX - Destination: T41, La Porte, TX - Airport: LXY, Mexia-Limestone County Airport, runway 18, 4,002 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; seat: left; flight hours: 700 total, 48 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 230° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: CRS, 24 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 20050921022779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050921022779A), Sep 21, 2005: Piper PA60601P, Mexia, TX, Destroyed. (-23) Departed to the south with 4 pax and full fuel. Runway is 4000' and it was hot. PIC stated that it would not climb at recommended airspeed and that the… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 25, 2005, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=62532. 433 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 282 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40240090&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weight and Balance (item 2, .PDF, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40240091&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weight%20and%20Balance-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation 1 (item 3, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396421&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%201-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation 2 (item 4, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396422&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%202-Redacted.PDF 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.