# NTSB LAX76FUJ78: Aerostar 601, N90458, Gila Bend, AZ, May 22, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 22, 1976
- Place: Gila Bend, AZ · GILA BEND, AZ
- Location: 32.9478° N, 112.7168° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gila Bend, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9478&lon=-112.7168&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 7, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 153395
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX76FUJ78
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76FUJ78

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1122  76/5/22  NR.GILA BEND,AZ       AEROSTAR 601        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 42, 3600
        TIME - 1020                    N90458              PX-  0  0  5  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 72 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - GILA BEND
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SANTA BARBARA,CA            NOGALES,MEX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           OVERSHOOT                                                LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
           COLLIDED WITH: DITCHES                                   LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND SPEED
           AIRFRAME - FUSELAGE: SEATS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SHEARED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF BRAKES AND/OR FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: SELECTOR VALVES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY SECURED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON AIRPORT
                                  LATERAL CONTROL PROBLEM
        REMARKS- L SELECTOR HANDLE LOOSE,ON X-FEED,UNK TO PLT,ACFT L WG HEAVY.PLT SEAT BACK FAILED DRG LDG ROLL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N90458 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROSTAR 601
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Gila Bend

## 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 19760522014199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760522014199A), May 22, 1976: Piper 601SMITH, Gila Bend, AZ, Substantial damage. L selector handle loose,on x-feed,unk to plt,acft l wg heavy. Plt seat back failed drg ldg roll.

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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