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NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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January 10, 1987 · Smith Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601 Aerostar 6 · N181X

Pahokee, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 10, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Pahokee, FL
Aircraft
Smith Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601 Aerostar 6
Tail Number
N181X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA87LA070

THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS CONDUCTING AN OVER WATER APCH TO RWY 17 WHEN HE OBSERVED TRAFFIC PREPARING TO LAND AHEAD OF HIM. HE SLOWED THE ACFT FOR TRAFFIC SEPARATION, LOWERED THE GEAR, & EXTENDED PARTIAL FLAPS. HE THEN STATED THAT HE FELT AN ABNORMAL LOSS OF ALTITUDE & AIRSPEED WHICH HE ATTRIBUTED TO FAILURE OF THE RIGHT ENG, THOUGH THE RUDDER PEDALS DIDN'T FEEL AS THOUGH THE ENG HAD MALFUNCTIONED. HE ADDED POWER TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE VMC, THEN FULL POWER AS HE DIDN'T GET THE EXPECTED RESPONSE IN THRUST OR AIRSPEED. THE FLAPS WERE THEN RETRACTED & THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE LAKE. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE RIGHT ENG REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION.

Full Narrative

THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS CONDUCTING AN OVER WATER APCH TO RWY 17 WHEN HE OBSERVED TRAFFIC PREPARING TO LAND AHEAD OF HIM. HE SLOWED THE ACFT FOR TRAFFIC SEPARATION, LOWERED THE GEAR, & EXTENDED PARTIAL FLAPS. HE THEN STATED THAT HE FELT AN ABNORMAL LOSS OF ALTITUDE & AIRSPEED WHICH HE ATTRIBUTED TO FAILURE OF THE RIGHT ENG, THOUGH THE RUDDER PEDALS DIDN'T FEEL AS THOUGH THE ENG HAD MALFUNCTIONED. HE ADDED POWER TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE VMC, THEN FULL POWER AS HE DIDN'T GET THE EXPECTED RESPONSE IN THRUST OR AIRSPEED. THE FLAPS WERE THEN RETRACTED & THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE LAKE. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE RIGHT ENG REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 EST
Nearest Airport1nm W
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSmith Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601 Aerostar 6
Tail NumberN181X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-S1A5 · Reciprocating · 290
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 71 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 18 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data