# NTSB MIA94LA182: Smith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601, N63317, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), July 24, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1994, 15:07 local (19:07 UTC)
- Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37577
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37577/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA182

## Probable cause

AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORT FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system - shorted (cause)
  - electrical system - undetermined (cause)
- Ditching, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING CRUISE FLIGHT SMOKE AND HEAT STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, FOLLOWED BY FAILURE OF THE COMMUNICATION RADIOS. HE THEN TURNED OFF THE MASTER BATTERY SWITCH AND SMOKE 'POURED' OUT FROM UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE ELECTED TO DITCH THE AIRPLANE NEAR A BOAT.

## Factual narrative

On July 24, 1994, about 1507 eastern daylight time, a Piper Aerostar 601, N63317, registered to Island Air Export, Inc., was ditched in the Atlantic Ocean 23 nautical miles east-northeast from the Palm Beach International Airport, West Palm Beach, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed.  The airplane was not recovered and is presumed to be destroyed. The airline transport-rated pilot sustained serious injuries.  The flight originated about 1458 from the Palm Beach International Airport, West Palm Beach, Florida.

The pilot stated that smoke and heat started coming from under the instrument panel followed by failure of the communication radios.  He then turned off the master battery switch and smoke "poured" out from under the instrument panel.  He elected to ditch the airplane near a boat and he was rescued by the occupants.

The airplane was not recovered; therefore, no determination could be made as to the reason for the reported smoke in the cockpit.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63317](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63317-1995-11-15), registration cancelled 1995-11-15, S/N 610054103 (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: 61-0054-103
- Airframe hours: 7100
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-P1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Island Air Exports, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 28, 1993
- Departed: PBI, WEST PALM BCH, FL
- Destination: MYA, WALKER CAY, OF
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: PBI, Palm Beach International

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,400 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 6,350 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 23 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 19940724019159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940724019159A), Jul 24, 1994: Piper PA60601, Palm Beach, FL, Destroyed. Smoke and heat from instrument panel. Turned of master. Smoke increased. Ditched near a boat. Problem undetermined.

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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