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September 13, 1985 · Smith Ted Aerostar Aerostar 600 Aerostar 6 · N680CC
Eva, AL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 13, 1985
Injury Outcomes
6 injuries (6 fatalities)
Location
Eva, AL
Aircraft
Smith Ted Aerostar Aerostar 600 Aerostar 6
Tail Number
N680CC
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL85MA275
DRG AN IFR ARRIVAL/DSCNT, THE PLT STATED HE 'HAD TO FEATHER 1 ENG, I HAVE AN OIL LEAK & I'M JUST TRYING TO DSCND . . .' HE THEN SAID HE WAS DSCNDG THRU 5300'. AS HE CONTD THE APCH, HE INFORMED THE CONTROLLER HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO GO AROUND SINCE THE HYDR SYS WAS POWERED BY THE AFFECTED (R) ENG. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLT SAID HE WAS AT 1500' & WAS HAVING A HARD TIME HOLDING ALT. A WITNESS HEARD & SAW THE ACFT IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE AT LOW ALT, THEN SAW THE ACFT DIVE TOWARD THE GROUND. IT IMPACTED IN A STEEP DSCNT JUST SHORT OF A LONG FIELD & BURNED. THE R PROP WAS FEATHERED, BUT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF OIL STARVATION IN EITHER ENG. THE PLT'S NEIGHBOR SAID HE (THE PLT) WAS AWARE OF A HYDR LEAK, BUT HE WAS AWAITING THE ANNUAL INSPN (DUE IN SEP) TO REPAIR IT. AN EXAM REVEALED THE FLAPS WERE PARTIALLY EXTENDED, THE LNDG GEAR CONTROL WAS IN THE 'UP' PSN, & THE GEAR WAS DOWN. THE FLT MANUAL STATED THAT WITH A HYDR FAILURE DOWNSTREAM OF THE ACCUMULATOR, THE FLAP HANDLE SHOULD BE IN 'NEUTRAL' TO PREVENT GEAR & FLAP EXTN. THE FLAP CONTROL COULD NOT BE FND.
Full Narrative
DRG AN IFR ARRIVAL/DSCNT, THE PLT STATED HE 'HAD TO FEATHER 1 ENG, I HAVE AN OIL LEAK & I'M JUST TRYING TO DSCND . . .' HE THEN SAID HE WAS DSCNDG THRU 5300'. AS HE CONTD THE APCH, HE INFORMED THE CONTROLLER HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO GO AROUND SINCE THE HYDR SYS WAS POWERED BY THE AFFECTED (R) ENG. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLT SAID HE WAS AT 1500' & WAS HAVING A HARD TIME HOLDING ALT. A WITNESS HEARD & SAW THE ACFT IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE AT LOW ALT, THEN SAW THE ACFT DIVE TOWARD THE GROUND. IT IMPACTED IN A STEEP DSCNT JUST SHORT OF A LONG FIELD & BURNED. THE R PROP WAS FEATHERED, BUT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF OIL STARVATION IN EITHER ENG. THE PLT'S NEIGHBOR SAID HE (THE PLT) WAS AWARE OF A HYDR LEAK, BUT HE WAS AWAITING THE ANNUAL INSPN (DUE IN SEP) TO REPAIR IT. AN EXAM REVEALED THE FLAPS WERE PARTIALLY EXTENDED, THE LNDG GEAR CONTROL WAS IN THE 'UP' PSN, & THE GEAR WAS DOWN. THE FLT MANUAL STATED THAT WITH A HYDR FAILURE DOWNSTREAM OF THE ACCUMULATOR, THE FLAP HANDLE SHOULD BE IN 'NEUTRAL' TO PREVENT GEAR & FLAP EXTN. THE FLAP CONTROL COULD NOT BE FND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:11 CDT
Nearest AirportHuntsville-Madison County (17nm S)
Runway36R
Runway Length8000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSmith Ted Aerostar Aerostar 600 Aerostar 6
Tail NumberN680CC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-G1B5 · Reciprocating · 290
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary6 injuries (6 fatalities)
Fatal6
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total6
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC