# NTSB FTW82FA156: Smith Aerostar 600, N133TS, Portland, TX, April 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1982, 12:58 local (17:58 UTC)
- Place: Portland, TX
- Coordinates: 27.870363, -97.319412 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8704&lon=-97.3194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72300
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72300/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FA156

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - lowering of flaps - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE DESCENDING NEAR THE DESTINATION, THE LEFT ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED 2 AIRSTARTS WHICH WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. HE FEATHERED AND SECURED THE LEFT ENGINE AND REQUESTED RADAR VECTORS TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT. A VISUAL APPROACH WAS MADE TO THE HUNT AIRPORT AT PORTLAND, TX. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS HAVING NO DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING AIRSPEED EVEN WITH THE GEAR DOWN UNTIL HE WAS ON FINAL APPROACH. ON SHORT FINAL, HE EXTENDED FULL FLAPS. HE STATED THAT AS SOON AS HE PUT THE FLAP HANDLE DOWN, HE REALIZED HE MADE A MISTAKE, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE TO TAKE ANY ACTION TO PREVENT THE AIRCRAFT FROM LANDING SHORT. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON RISING TERRAIN BETWEEN THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND A NEARBY SHORELINE, TRAVELED UP THE EMBANKMENT AND ONTO THE RUNWAY, THEN BURNED. THE PILOT ESCAPED WITH ONLY MINOR INJURIES. THE FIRE DAMAGED LEFT ENGINE WAS DISASSEMBLED, BUT NO PREIMPACT FAILURE WAS FOUND. REPORTEDLY, THE PLANE HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN SINCE FEB 82. BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE BATTERY WAS DEAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N133TS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SMITH AEROSTAR 600 (AEROSTAR 6)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 60-0130-057
- Airframe hours: 2415
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-G1B5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert R. Gunn
- Registered owner: Robert R. Gunn
- Departed: AUSTIN, TX
- Destination: CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 9R5, Hunt, runway 14, 2,700 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,500 total, 18 in this make and model, 5,500 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 178 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRP

## 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 19820429012719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820429012719A), Apr 29, 1982: Piper PA60600, Portland, TX, Destroyed. Landing was attempted with left engine shut down. Aircraft hit short of runway. Cause of malfunction undetermined.

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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