# NTSB NYC85FA189: Smith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601, N71MA, Erie, PA, July 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1985, 03:43 local (07:43 UTC)
- Place: Erie, PA
- Coordinates: 42.129497, -80.140594 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1295&lon=-80.1406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35574
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35574/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA189

## Sequence of events

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

- Undetermined, cruise - normal
  - radio communications - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - instructions,written/verbal - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,rough
  - fatigue(lack of sleep), pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A NORMAL IFR CRUISE FLIGHT, THE PILOT OF AIR OHIO FLIGHT 21, DID NOT RESPOND TO ATC INSTRUCTIONS. AIR OHIO FLIGHT 21 CONTINUED FOR 40 MINUTES WITH NO REPLY AND WITHOUT DEVIATION IN ALTITUDE OR HEADING UNTIL THE DISCRETE TARGET DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR OVER LAKE ERIE.  THE PILOT HAD NOT SLEPT FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 HOURS PRIOR TO THE LOSS OF COMMUNICATION RESPONSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N71MA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Smith, Ted Aerostar AEROSTAR 601 (AEROSTAR 6)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61-0217-094
- Airframe hours: 2475
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1AS 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Don Evans, doing business as North Coast Aviation
- Registered owner: John L. Delassus
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 23, 1985, 73 hours before
- Departed: SDF, LOUISVILLE, KY
- Destination: BFT, CLEVELAND, OH
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,200 total, 22 in this make and model, 179 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ERI, 12 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 19850719036939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850719036939A), Jul 19, 1985: Piper PA60601, Erie, PA, Destroyed. Pilot stopped answering approach control. Impacted waters of lake Erie. Pilot had no rest period on previous day.

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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