# NTSB GAA19CA083: Smith AEROSTAR601, N909CA, Rock Hill, SC, November 28, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 28, 2018, 10:25 local (15:25 UTC) - Place: Rock Hill, SC - Coordinates: 34.984722, -81.058052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9847&lon=-81.0581&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98712 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98712/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98712 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA083 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to fly with an air cast boot on his foot, which led him to rely on the passenger to apply brakes and rudder, which was performed improperly and led to a loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith AEROSTAR 601, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=8360606), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Impairment/incapacitation: illness/injury](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012010): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith AEROSTAR 601, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012010/cases.md?model=8360606), [All aircraft, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith AEROSTAR 601, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8360606), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Passenger; cases with it: [Smith AEROSTAR 601, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8360606), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Smith AEROSTAR 601, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=8360606), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Smith AEROSTAR 601, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8360606), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Smith AEROSTAR 601, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=8360606), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Smith AEROSTAR 601, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8360606), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Smith AEROSTAR 601, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8360606), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was flying the airplane while wearing an "air cast boot." During landing, the airplane decelerated, and he asked the passenger to move his feet up to the brake pedals and apply the brakes. He added that the passenger applied "insufficient differential brake application," and the airplane veered left. The passenger applied right brake and rudder to correct, but the airplane then veered right, exited the runway, and impacted a ditch. The pilot reported that he was wearing the boot due to a previous injury. He added that he had the ability to fully manipulate both rudder controls, but the boot prevented him from being able to fully apply brake pressure. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was flying the airplane while wearing an "air cast boot", during landing, the airplane decelerated, and he asked the passenger to move his feet up to the brake pedals and apply the brakes. He added that the passenger applied "insufficient differential brake application was applied" and the airplane veered left. The passenger applied right brake and rudder to correct, the airplane then veered to the right, exited the runway, and impacted a ditch. The pilot reported that he was wearing the boot due to a previous injury. He added that he had the ability to fully manipulate both rudder controls, but the boot prevented him from being able to fully apply brake pressure. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 31 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 340° at 6 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 29 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 330° at 7 knots. The airplane landed on runway 02. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N909CA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N909CA-2020-07-10), registration cancelled 2020-07-10, S/N 61-0281-107, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SMITH AEROSTAR601 (UNDESIGNAT) - 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: 61-0281-107 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 2704 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-S1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming TIO-540-S1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: P&M Truck Sale Inc - Registered owner: P&M Truck Sale Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 2018 - Departed: DQH, Douglas, GA - Destination: UZA, Rock Hill, SC - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: UZA, Rock Hill/York Co/Bryant Field, runway 02, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 8, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 2,900 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KUZA ## 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 20181128022999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181128022999A), Nov 28, 2018: Smith AEROSTAR 601, Rock Hill, SC, Substantial damage. Pilot lost directional control on landing and aircraft departed the runway and collided with terrain causing substantial damage. Investigation revealed that… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 11, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98712. 4.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470975&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470976&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Passenger's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470977&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 4, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470978&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 5, .PDF, 1 photo, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470979&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.