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NTSB Report
May 29, 1986 · Smith Ted Aerostar Aerostar 600 Aerostar 6 · N260A
Dickson, TN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 29, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Dickson, TN
Aircraft
Smith Ted Aerostar Aerostar 600 Aerostar 6
Tail Number
N260A
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL86FA147
THE ACFT CONTACTED ELECTRICAL WIRES AND TREES SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE ACFT THEN DESCENDED TO IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE ELEVATOR TRIM ACTUATOR ROD WAS EXTENDED 2.5 INCHES WHICH CORRELATES WITH A FULL NOSE DOWN SETTING. FURTHER EXAMINATION SHOWED THE BUSS WIRE FOR THE ACTUATOR RETRACT SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED AT THE RETRACT SWITCH POST. SPLATTERED COPPER WAS FOUND ON THE RETRACT SWITCH INDICATING THE BUSS WIRE HAD BEEN SUBJECTED TO HIGH AMPERAGE. THE LIMITATIONS SECTION OF THE PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK FOR THIS ACFT DOES NOT STATE THAT TAKEOFF IS PROHIBITED WITH INOPERATIVE PITCH TRIM.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT CONTACTED ELECTRICAL WIRES AND TREES SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE ACFT THEN DESCENDED TO IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE ELEVATOR TRIM ACTUATOR ROD WAS EXTENDED 2.5 INCHES WHICH CORRELATES WITH A FULL NOSE DOWN SETTING. FURTHER EXAMINATION SHOWED THE BUSS WIRE FOR THE ACTUATOR RETRACT SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED AT THE RETRACT SWITCH POST. SPLATTERED COPPER WAS FOUND ON THE RETRACT SWITCH INDICATING THE BUSS WIRE HAD BEEN SUBJECTED TO HIGH AMPERAGE. THE LIMITATIONS SECTION OF THE PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK FOR THIS ACFT DOES NOT STATE THAT TAKEOFF IS PROHIBITED WITH INOPERATIVE PITCH TRIM.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time03:50 CDT
Nearest AirportDickson Municipal (1nm SSE)
Runway17
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftSmith Ted Aerostar Aerostar 600 Aerostar 6
Tail NumberN260A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1J5 · Reciprocating · 290
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind200° @ 3 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingOvercast 500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time09:18
Weather SourceWIT