# NTSB IAD05CA025: Smith, Ted Aerostar 601P, N60CF, Wheeling, WV, December 19, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 18, 2004, 22:15 local (Dec 19, 2004, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Wheeling, WV
- Coordinates: 40.171665, -80.641113
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1717&lon=-80.6411&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 30, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 60754
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD05CA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60754/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05CA025

## Probable cause

The pilot misjudged his distance/speed, and his intentional landing on an unsuitable taxiway at night. A factor in the accident was the night light conditions.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing
  - distance/speed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot attempted a night landing on a taxiway in front of the control tower, which was closed at the time.  The airplane overran the end of the taxiway, rolled down an embankment and struck trees.  The pilot, whose identity was not confirmed, was believed to have incurred minor injuries.  He subsequently paid a passerby to take him to a local hotel, and after a night's rest, he left the area.  Ownership of the airplane could not be determined due to a recent sale.  Approximately 250 kilos of cocaine were found onboard the airplane.  Further investigation was being conducted by federal authorities and local law enforcement.

## Factual narrative

The pilot attempted a night landing on a taxiway in front of the control tower, which was closed at the time.  The airplane overran the end of the taxiway, rolled down an embankment and struck trees.  The pilot, whose identity was not confirmed, was believed to have incurred minor injuries.  He subsequently paid a passerby to take him to a local hotel, and after a night's rest, he left the area.  Ownership of the airplane could not be determined due to a recent sale.  Approximately 250 kilograms of cocaine were found onboard the airplane.  Further investigation was being conducted by federal authorities and local law enforcement.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60CF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60CF-2017-07-07), registration cancelled 2017-07-07, S/N 61P-0415-149, built 1977 (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 TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61P-0415-149
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Registered owner: Undetermined
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Unknown
- Destination: HLG, Wheeling, WV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 0; medical: unknown; flight hours: 0 total, 0 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night

## 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 20041218034479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041218034479A), Dec 18, 2004: Piper PA60601P, Wheeling, WV, Substantial damage. (-23) Based on tire marks and ground scarring leading to the crash site, it appears that the pilot attempted to land on a short taxiway at night utilizing the…

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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