# NTSB MIA87LA070: Smith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601, N181X, Pahokee, FL, January 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 10, 1987, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Pahokee, FL
- Coordinates: 26.810045, -80.659805 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8100&lon=-80.6598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31845
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31845/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA070

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - raising of flaps - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - water,glassy

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS CONDUCTING AN OVER WATER APCH TO RWY 17 WHEN HE OBSERVED TRAFFIC PREPARING TO LAND AHEAD OF HIM. HE SLOWED THE ACFT FOR TRAFFIC SEPARATION, LOWERED THE GEAR, & EXTENDED PARTIAL FLAPS. HE THEN STATED THAT HE FELT AN ABNORMAL LOSS OF ALTITUDE & AIRSPEED WHICH HE ATTRIBUTED TO FAILURE OF THE RIGHT ENG, THOUGH THE RUDDER PEDALS DIDN'T FEEL AS THOUGH THE ENG HAD MALFUNCTIONED. HE ADDED POWER TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE VMC, THEN FULL POWER AS HE DIDN'T GET THE EXPECTED RESPONSE IN THRUST OR AIRSPEED. THE FLAPS WERE THEN RETRACTED & THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE LAKE. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE RIGHT ENG REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N181X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N181X-2013-07-01), registration cancelled 2013-07-01, S/N 6106457962139, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Smith, Ted Aerostar AEROSTAR 601 (AEROSTAR 6)
- Registry model: [Piper AEROSTAR 601](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-aerostar-601) (registry code 7106010) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61-0149-079
- Airframe hours: 2655
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frank A. Balcar
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 6, 1986, 11 hours before
- Departed: LNA, WEST PALM BCH, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 18,129 total, 2,654 in this make and model, 18,000 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 32 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 19870110000409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870110000409A), Jan 10, 1987: Piper PA60601, Pahokee, FL, Substantial damage. The aircraft encountered a downdraft and impacted the water on final. The pilot failed to maintain airspeed.

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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