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Fatal NTSB investigations: Smith AEROSTAR 601P

34 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Smith AEROSTAR 601P. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

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19772026

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SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('8360608')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
  WHERE c.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('8360608'))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('8360608'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

NTSB ERA26FA271Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportSmith Aerostar 601 · Lake Clear, NYOn July 13, 2026, about 2236 eastern daylight time, a Smith Aerostar 601P, N800AA was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Lake Clear, New York. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14…Jul 14, 2026 · N800AA · Destroyed NTSB GAA22WA187Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignSmith Aerostar 601P · Ceballos, MexicoMay 23, 2022 · N66CG · Destroyed NTSB CEN14FA494Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith Aerostar 601P · Austin, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient clearance from trees during the single-engine landing approach. Contributing to the accident was the loss of power in the left engine due to an improperly installed rubber boot that became dislodged and was then…Sep 10, 2014 · N711YM · Destroyed NTSB CEN14FA163Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith Aerostar 601P · Aurora, COThe pilot's operation of the airplane while intoxicated, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.Mar 19, 2014 · N90464 · Destroyed NTSB ERA12FA146Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerostar PA-60-601P · Philadelphia, MSThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff following loss of power to the left engine due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the loss of control was the pilot’s failure to feather the left propeller following the loss of left engine…Jan 16, 2012 · N700PS · Substantial damage NTSB CEN10FA108Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith Aerostar 601P · Sugar Grove, ILThe pilot's spatial disorientation and subsequent failure to maintain airplane control.Jan 24, 2010 · N222AQ · Destroyed NTSB NYC07FA038Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar 601P · West Dover, VTA loss of control during approach for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a collision with trees.Dec 2, 2006 · N9797Q · Destroyed NTSB FTW04FA204Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60-601P · Lakeway, TXThe pilot's failure to successfully perform a short-field takeoff and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed during climbout, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.Aug 3, 2004 · N601BV · Destroyed NTSB ATL04FA090Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith Aerostar 601P · Johns Island, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during emergency descent, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and uncontrolled descent into trees and terrain. A factor was the loss of engine power in one engine due to pre-ignition/detonation.Apr 5, 2004 · N869CC · Substantial damage NTSB NYC02FA051Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith Aerostar 601P · Chittenden, VTThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while holding.Jan 25, 2002 · N104CS · Destroyed NTSB NYC00FA064Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerostar 601P · Coatesville, PAThe pilot's failure to follow the published instrument approach procedure, and his failure to establish a climb after passing the missed approach point.Jan 10, 2000 · N905DK · Destroyed NTSB FTW99FA199Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601P · Bethany, OKThe pilot's failure to maintain the minimum controllable airspeed. A factor was the disconnected rubber interconnect boot, which resulted in the partial loss of left engine power.Jul 23, 1999 · N345LS · Destroyed NTSB DEN99FA066Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar 601P · Ruidoso, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control for undetermined reason. A factor was the low ceiling IMC weather condition.Apr 23, 1999 · N48MD · Destroyed NTSB CHI99FA227Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601P · St. Clair Shore, MIUndetermined as the aircraft was not recovered.Apr 1, 1999 · N441CB · Destroyed NTSB SEA97FA094Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601P · Klammath Falls, ORThe pilot's failure to set the throttle of his second failed engine to 'Cracked-1/2-Open' as called for in the Engine Failure/Restart checklist, followed by a high-power engine surge. Factors include the pilot's delay in landing for refueling, the pilot…Apr 27, 1997 · N30LL · Substantial damage NTSB IAD97FA039Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerostar 601P · Chesapeake, VAfailure of the pilot to maintain proper altitude/clearance above the ground after takeoff. A related factor was the pilot's self-induced pressure to depart before the arrival of bad weather.Jan 3, 1997 · N3CD · Destroyed NTSB CHI90FA096Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60-601P · Bartonville, ILThe pilot allowed the aircraft to exceed its design stress limits after encountering adverse weather. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's improper evaluation of the weather and the adverse weather condtions.Mar 10, 1990 · N410HC · Destroyed NTSB MIA90FA022Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper 601P · Fort Myers, FLFailure of the pilot to properly follow the IFR procedure and to identify the decision height. Factors related to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions, darkness, the pilot's lack of visual perception without the approach lights, and tree(s) in…Nov 1, 1989 · N50TR · Destroyed NTSB ATL89FA166Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60-601P · Lithia Springs, GAInflight engine/wing fire due to a failure of the right engine's left exhaust tailpipe. The exhaust tailpipe failed in fatigue as a result of fluctuating stresses induced by a deteriorated engine mount in conjunction with unevenly distributed clamping loads…Jun 21, 1989 · N83AT · Destroyed NTSB CHI88FA249Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60-601P · Columbus, OHAerodynamically stalled lifting surface causing an uncommanded pitch over at an altitude too low to affect a recovery.Oct 1, 1988 · N14HR · Destroyed NTSB NYC87FA225Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60-601P · Atlantic City, NJDuring the takeoff roll witnesses observed the aircraft swerve from left to right with the engine(s) 'missing' or intermittent. The aircraft lifted off and climbed to approximately 50 feet AGL and continued across a waterway in a leftturn with the landing…Aug 10, 1987 · N814SG · Destroyed NTSB ATL87FA030Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper Aerostar 601P · Clinton, NCWhile en route on an IFR flt plan at FL180, the plt acknowledged instructions to dscnd to 16,000'. Later, the radar controller (cltr) noticed the acft had deviate fm course & was not replying with mode 'c' alt info. The ctlr reqd alt info & the plt responded,…Nov 26, 1986 · N122FP · Destroyed NTSB SEA85FA035Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601A · Genoa, NVThe plt had flown from carson city, NV to shreveport, la on 12/10/84 for business. At 1530 on 12/12/84, he departed on aflt to corona,CA with refueling stops at albuquerque, NM & phoenix, AZ. He departed phoenix at 2100, but encountered wx & returned to…Dec 13, 1984 · N9781Q · Destroyed NTSB LAX83FA104Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper 601P · San Diego, CAWhile taking off, the acft climbed aprx 100 to 200 ft, then began loosing alt. During a forced landing on a street, it hit a parked car & a light pole & burst in flames. The plt, who later expired, said that neither eng developed full power (2575 RPM). He…Feb 18, 1983 · N90353 · Destroyed NTSB MIA83FA046Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-601P · Valparaiso, FLTwo minutes after takeoff the plt reported a loss of the left eng. He was immediately cleared for a landing at eglin afb. While maneuvering for a landing the left eng & wing separated from the acft. The eng was separated from the wing & showed evidence of in…Dec 9, 1982 · N90692 · Destroyed NTSB NYC83FA004Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTed Smith 601P · Augusta, MEPilot lost control of his aircraft during low altitude maneuvers to align the aircraft for landing. The low ceiling and rising terrain around the airport influenced the pilots decisions to make tight turns at low altitude. The aircraft was stalled and rolled…Oct 29, 1982 · N90439 · Destroyed NTSB MIA82FA120Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper P-60-601P · Titusville, FLShortly after takeoff witnesses observed the acft in a steep left bank descending until it crashed approximately 1200 ftnw of the departure end of the rwy. According to the pax the initial climb distracting the attention of the plt who lostcontrol of the acft…May 18, 1982 · N90702 · Destroyed NTSB NYC81FA062Accident · 2 fatalClosedAerostar 601P · Oxford, CTJun 22, 1981 · N86BW · Destroyed NTSB LAX80FA024Accident · 1 fatalClosedAerostar 601P · Bishop, CADec 9, 1979 · N600WW · Destroyed NTSB DEN79FA030Accident · 4 fatalClosedAerostar 601P · Aspen, COMar 18, 1979 · N35FC · Destroyed NTSB FTW79FA048Accident · 2 fatalClosedAerostar 601P · New Braunfels, TXFeb 16, 1979 · N9779Q · Destroyed NTSB NYC79FA014Accident · 3 fatalClosedAerostar 601P · Hartford, CTNov 28, 1978 · N8999A · Destroyed NTSB NYC78FA023Accident · 2 fatalClosedAerostar 601P · Dubois, PAJan 24, 1978 · N1BE · Destroyed NTSB SEA77FA047Accident · 1 fatalClosedAerostar 601P · Burns, ORAug 12, 1977 · N9578Q · Destroyed