# NTSB FTW89FA089: Smith, Ted Aerostar 601, N90619, New Iberia, LA, May 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1989, 19:01 local (May 4, 1989, 00:01 UTC)
- Place: New Iberia, LA
- Coordinates: 29.999727, -91.810668 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9997&lon=-91.8107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89FA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89FA089

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN A PROPER CLIMB IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS EXCESSIVE MANIFOLD PRESSURE INDICATIONS FOR THE LEFT ENGINE. THE PILOT'S DIVERTED ATTENTION IN DEALING WITH THAT CONDITION MOST PROBABLY RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,piston - eroded
  - engine instruments,manifold pressure gage
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES SAW THE AIRPLANE DEPART AND LAST SAW AND HEARD IT WITH THE LANDING GEAR DOWN AND BOTH ENGINES RUNNING AT WHAT THEY CALLED NORMAL TAKEOFF POWER. EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE AIRPLANE THEN MADE A SHARP LEFT TURN AND DESCENDED TO THE GROUND, LEFT WING FIRST. EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE RIGHT ENGINE WAS DEVELOPING HIGH POWER WHILE THE LEFT ENGINE WAS DEVELOPING SOMEWHAT LESS THAN TAKEOFF POWER. TEARDOWN OF THE LEFT ENGINE REVEALED METAL EROSION ON THE TOP EDGES OF THE PISTONS WITH NO CORRESPONDING MARKS ON THE CYLINDER WALLS. SOME OF THIS EROSION WAS FROM PREVIOUS OPERATION AND SOME WAS FROM VERY RECENT OPERATION. THERE WAS NO TEARDOWN OF THE RIGHT ENGINE. OTHER THAN THE EROSION OF THE PISTONS, NOTHING WAS FOUND TO INDICATE ANY PREIMPACT PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRFRAME OR POWERPLANTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90619](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90619-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 61-0327-110, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Smith, Ted Aerostar 601
- Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 601](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-601) (registry code 8360606) (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: 61-0327-110
- Airframe hours: 3434
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-F1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harry A. Veite
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 26, 1988, 123 hours before
- Departed: ARA
- Destination: 22G, LORAIN-ELYRIA, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ARA, Acadiana Regional, runway 16, 8,002 × 200 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,079 total, 1,956 in this make and model, 73 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LFT, 18 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 19890503010689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890503010689A), May 3, 1989: Piper PA60601, New Iberia, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed in a parking lot on climbout. Left engine pistons damaged by overboost.

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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