# NTSB LAX83LA313: Smith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601B, N601MM, Elko, NV, July 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1983, 14:32 local (22:32 UTC)
- Place: Elko, NV
- Coordinates: 40.950698, -115.78971 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9507&lon=-115.7897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23772
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA313
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23772/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA313

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system,oil hose - chafed (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

ENROUTE AT 14,000 FT MSL THE PLT OBSERVED THE RIGHT ENG OIL PRESS GAGE DECREASE TO ZERO. THE PLT SHUT DOWN THE RIGHT ENG& RECEIVED RADAR VECTORS TO ELKO MUNI ARPT. AT 6,000 FT THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LEVEL-OFF THE ACFT BUT THE ACFT WOULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND THE ACFT GEAR UP IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE RIGHT ENG HAD RUN OUT OF OIL DUE TO A CHAFED HOLE IN AN OIL COOLER LINE. THE LEFT ENG FORWARD UPPER OIL COOLER HOSE ALSO EXHIBITED EXTENSIVE CHAFING SIGNATURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N601MM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Smith, Ted Aerostar AEROSTAR 601B (AEROSTAR 6)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61-0005-22
- Airframe hours: 1700
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-P1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert J. Mckenna
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 22, 1982, 23 hours before
- Departed: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Destination: SUN, HAILEY, ID
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,700 total, 80 in this make and model, 3,550 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EKO, 4 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 19830701028139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830701028139A), Jul 1, 1983: Piper PA60601B, Elko, NV, Substantial damage. Pilot made emergency landing after shutting down right engine after loss of oil pressure from break in cooler line.

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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