# NTSB NYC89LA113: Smith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 600, N90437, Utica, NY, April 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1989, 02:40 local (06:40 UTC)
- Place: Utica, NY
- Coordinates: 43.079204, -75.650276 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0792&lon=-75.6503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36393
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36393/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA113

## Probable cause

A FIRE IN THE COCKPIT FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke
- Fire, landing
  - fuselage,crew compartment - fire (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS APRX 40 MI SOUTH OF UTICA, NY, WHEN THE PLT NOTIFIED ATC THAT HE WAS GETTING SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. AS A LANDING WAS MADE AT UTICA, A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE COCKPIT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE COCKPIT WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED BY FIRE. DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND WITH THE ENG OR PROPELLER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90437](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90437-2000-09-21), registration cancelled 2000-09-21, S/N 60-0243-100 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Smith, Ted Aerostar AEROSTAR 600 (AEROSTAR 6)
- Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 600](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-600) (registry code 8360602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 600243100
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1F5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: U.S. Check, Inc.
- Registered owner: U.S. Check, Inc
- Departed: TETERBORO, NJ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: UCA, Onieda County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,840 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890406006539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890406006539A), Apr 6, 1989: Piper PA60600, Utica, NY, Substantial damage. Smoke in cockpit. Landed and fire erupted on rollout. Cockpit destroyed. Possible electrical short.

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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