# NTSB NYC82FNA20: Smith Aerostar 601, N71MA, Martha'S Vineyard, MA, June 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1982, 21:30 local (Jun 19, 1982, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Martha'S Vineyard, MA
- Location: 41.4167° N, 70.6161° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Martha's Vineyard, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4167&lon=-70.6161&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71599
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82FNA20
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71599/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FNA20

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - autopilot/flight director - erratic (contributing factor)
  - missed approach - initiated, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING AN ILS WITH THE AUTOPILOT COUPLER ON, A HIGH SINK RATE DEVELOPED TOWARD THE END OF THE APPROACH. THE PILOT UNCOUPLED THE AUTOPILOT AND BEGAN A MISSED APPROACH, BUT THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE TOP OF A TREE. HE DIVERTED AND LANDED AT PROVIDENCE, RI WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. AFTER LANDING, SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE OF THE RIGHT FLAP AND RIGHT PROPELLER WAS FOUND. A BENCH CHECK OF THE BENDIX FCS-810 AUTOPILOT REVEALED THAT THE TRANSISTORS IN THE GLIDE SLOPE WASH-OUT CIRCUIT WERE FAULTY. THEY WERE INTERMITTENTLY APPLYING  A POSITIVE VOLTAGE THAT RESULTED IN A FALSE PITCH GYRO SIGNAL AND A DOWNWARD HARDOVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N71MA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SMITH AEROSTAR 601 (AEROSTAR 6)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61-0217-094
- Airframe hours: 1700
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tech Industries, Inc.
- Registered owner: Tech Industries, Inc.
- Departed: LANCASTER, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MVY, Martha'S Vineyard, runway 24, 5,499 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,344 total, 648 in this make and model, 2,250 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 2 knots
- Temperature: 142 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820618034189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820618034189A), Jun 18, 1982: Piper 601SMITH, Marthas Vineyar, MA, Substantial damage. Struck tree top on ILS approach. Made go-around. Auto pilot gave improper pitchdown. Pilot failed to timely correct

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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