# NTSB LAX92LA263: Smith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601, N601DE, Prescott, AZ, June 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1992, 15:53 local (22:53 UTC)
- Place: Prescott, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.619098, -112.419021 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6191&lon=-112.4190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27661
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA263
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27661/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA263

## Probable cause

THE AIRPLANE'S FAILURE TO ACHIEVE AN ADEQUATE RATE OF CLIMB BECAUSE OF DEGRADED AERODYNAMIC PERFORMANCE AND THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - gear retraction - not possible, pilot in command
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded
  - climb - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

BFR FLT, THE OWNER/PLT RCVD A SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE, ALLOWING HIM TO MAKE A FERRY FLT FM COLORADO TO CALIFORNIA FOR MAINT.  A COND FOR THE FAA'S ISSUANCE OF THE PERMIT WAS THAT AN A & P MECHANIC MUST CERTIFY THE ACFT WAS 'SAFE FOR THE FLIGHT.'  THE PLT WAS AN A & P MECHANIC & PROVIDED THE REQUISITE CERTIFICATION.  AN ACDNT OCCURRED DRG TAKEOFF FM AN EN ROUTE STOP.  A WITNESS TO THE TAKEOFF RPRTD THE ACFT USED 5500 FT OF RWY BEFORE BECOMING AIRBORNE. THE ACFT FAILED TO CLIMB HIGHER THAN 200 FT AGL BEFORE COLLIDING WITH ROUGH TRRN ABOUT 2 MI FM THE ARPT.  AT THE TIME OF THE MISHAP, THE COMPUTED DENSITY ALT WAS APRX 7760 FT.  PERSONNEL, WHO RESPONDED TO THE CRASH SITE, OBSERVED THAT DUCT TAPE HAD BEEN USED TO SECURE AN ANGLE IRON ONTO A LANDING GEAR LEG (FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING A STIFF LEG COND).  DUCT TAPE HAD ALSO BEEN USED ON THE DETERIORATED WING TIPS (TO KEEP THEM STREAMLINED).  TWO HORNET NESTS WERE FND IN AIRFRAME AIR INLETS. THE PLT RPRTD THAT NO MECH FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OCCURRED DRG TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N601DE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N601DE-1999-01-26), registration cancelled 1999-01-26, S/N 610007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Smith, Ted Aerostar AEROSTAR 601 (AEROSTAR 6)
- Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 601](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-601) (registry code 8360606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61-0007
- Airframe hours: 2589
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-P1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Robert C. Reid
- Registered owner: Robert C. Reid
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special flight (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 25, 1992, 5 hours before
- Departed: PRC
- Destination: L35, BIG BEAR CITY, CA
- Airport: PRC, Ernest Love Field, runway 21, 7,616 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,852 total, 21 in this make and model, 7,350 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC, 2 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 19920626022069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920626022069A), Jun 26, 1992: Piper PA60601, Prescott, AZ, Substantial damage. Unable to climb after liftoff. Settled into desert terrain. Gear was stiff legged. Hornet nest in nose cone inlet.

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.