# NTSB GAA18CA035: Smith Aerostar 600A, N211W, Tallahassee, FL, October 27, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 27, 2017, 17:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Tallahassee, FL - Coordinates: 30.396667, -84.35083 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3967&lon=-84.3508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 21, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 96277 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA035 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96277/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96277 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA035 ## Probable cause The pilot's incorrect pitch control and premature landing gear retraction during the initial climb. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action sequence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith AEROSTAR 600A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md?model=8360604), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith AEROSTAR 600A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8360604), [All aircraft, 9,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith AEROSTAR 600A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=8360604), [All aircraft, 529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: landing gear selector](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023234): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith AEROSTAR 600A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023234/cases.md?model=8360604), [All aircraft, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023234/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Smith AEROSTAR 600A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8360604), [All aircraft, 5,010 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Smith AEROSTAR 600A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=8360604), [All aircraft, 1,515 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Smith AEROSTAR 600A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8360604), [All aircraft, 3,659 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the multiengine, retractable-landing-gear airplane reported that, during the initial climb, he "noted 105 IAS [indicated airspeed] as normal and reached down to retract the gear." He added that he "glanced down" to make sure he had grabbed the landing gear selector, and when he looked back outside, the airplane was "near the runway." He further added that he "pulled back hard on the yoke," but the propellers struck the runway, and the airplane then settled on the runway and skidded into the grass to the left. The pilot reported in the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Safety Recommendation section that the airplane was "not high enough above [the] ground to raise the gear," and he may have "relaxed back-pressure on the yoke after rotation," and when leaning slightly forward for the gear handle, the yoke may had been pushed forward slightly. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration's Airplane Flying Handbook stated, in part: Avoid premature landing gear retraction and do not retract the landing gear until a positive rate of climb is indicated on the flight instruments. If the airplane has not attained a positive rate of climb, there is always the chance it may settle back onto the runway with the gear retracted. This is especially so in cases of premature lift-off. Remember that leaning forward to reach the landing gear selector may result in inadvertent forward pressure on the yoke, which causes the airplane to descend. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the multi-engine, retractable landing gear airplane reported that, during the initial climb, he "noted 105 IAS [indicated airspeed] as normal and reached down to retract the gear." He added that he "glanced down" to make sure he had grabbed the landing gear selector, and when he looked back outside, the airplane was "near the runway." He further added that he "pulled back hard on the yoke," but the propellers struck the runway, the airplane settled on the runway, and skidded into the grass to the left. The pilot reported additional factors related to the accident on the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Safety Recommendation section. He added that the airplane was "not high enough above [the] ground to raise the gear," and he may have "relaxed back-pressure on the yoke after rotation," and when leaning slightly forward for the gear handle, the yoke may had been pushed forward slightly. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration's Airplane Flying Handbook stated in part: Avoid premature landing gear retraction and do not retract the landing gear until a positive rate of climb is indicated on the flight instruments. If the airplane has not attained a positive rate of climb, there is always the chance it may settle back onto the runway with the gear retracted. This is especially so in cases of premature lift-off. Remember that leaning forward to reach the landing gear selector may result in inadvertent forward pressure on the yoke, which causes the airplane to descend. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N211W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N211W), registered now, S/N 60-0460-153 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SMITH AEROSTAR 600A (600) - Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 600A](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-600a) (registry code 8360604) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 60-0460-153 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 5931.5 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1J5 300 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming IO-540-K1J5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 2017 - Departed: TLH, TALLAHASSEE, FL - Destination: 06A, TUSKEGEE, AL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: TLH, Tallahassee Intl, runway 09, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 27, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,955 total, 204 in this make and model, 1,947 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KTLH ## 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 20171027021289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171027021289A), Oct 27, 2017: Smith AEROSTAR 600A, Tallahassee, FL, Substantial damage. The pilot retracted the gears after takeoff rotation and during this phase of flight the aircraft settled down back onto the runway veering off the runway to… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96277. 8.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459547&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 366 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459548&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF - FAA Airplane Handbook Chapter II (item 3, .PDF, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459549&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Airplane%20Handbook%20Chapter%20II-Master.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.