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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 24, 1985 · Piper Aerostar 601P Aerostar 6 · N8045J

San Angelo, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 24, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
San Angelo, TX
Aircraft
Piper Aerostar 601P Aerostar 6
Tail Number
N8045J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW85LA332

THE PLT HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED THE ACFT AND RECEIVED 25 HRS DUAL INSTRUCTION TO COMPLY WITH HIS INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS. SHORTLY THEREAFTER HE WENT OUT SOLO TO PRACTICE STEEP TURNS.HE CLIMBED TO 12,500 FT AND LEVELED OFF. HE THEN ROLLED INTO A 60 DEG LEFT BANK AT 200 KTS AIRSPEED BY APPLYING LEFT AILERON AND BACK PRESSURE. HE THEN APPLIED MODERATE LEFT RUDDER. AT THIS TIME THE NOSE CAME UP, THE RIGHT WING CAME OVER THE TOP, THE NOSE TUCKED DOWN AND THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP NOSE DOWN SPIN. IN HIS ATTEMPT TO STOP THE SPIN THE PLT SHUT DOWN BOTH ENGS. HE GOT THE SPIN STOPPED AFTER 15 TO 20 TURNS. HE STARTED PULLING THE NOSE UP AND THE STALL BUFFET WAS FELT. ALT WAS 500 FT AGL AT THIS TIME AND HE WASUNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG. HE THEN MADE A GEAR UP LANDING IN A PASTURE WHICH RESULTED IN DESTRUCTION OF THE ACFT.

Full Narrative

THE PLT HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED THE ACFT AND RECEIVED 25 HRS DUAL INSTRUCTION TO COMPLY WITH HIS INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS. SHORTLY THEREAFTER HE WENT OUT SOLO TO PRACTICE STEEP TURNS.HE CLIMBED TO 12,500 FT AND LEVELED OFF. HE THEN ROLLED INTO A 60 DEG LEFT BANK AT 200 KTS AIRSPEED BY APPLYING LEFT AILERON AND BACK PRESSURE. HE THEN APPLIED MODERATE LEFT RUDDER. AT THIS TIME THE NOSE CAME UP, THE RIGHT WING CAME OVER THE TOP, THE NOSE TUCKED DOWN AND THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP NOSE DOWN SPIN. IN HIS ATTEMPT TO STOP THE SPIN THE PLT SHUT DOWN BOTH ENGS. HE GOT THE SPIN STOPPED AFTER 15 TO 20 TURNS. HE STARTED PULLING THE NOSE UP AND THE STALL BUFFET WAS FELT. ALT WAS 500 FT AGL AT THIS TIME AND HE WASUNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG. HE THEN MADE A GEAR UP LANDING IN A PASTURE WHICH RESULTED IN DESTRUCTION OF THE ACFT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 CDT
Nearest Airport40nm NW
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper Aerostar 601P Aerostar 6
Tail NumberN8045J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-S1AS · Reciprocating · 290
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data