Smith Ted Aerostar 601P N60CF

Summary

On 19 December 2004 at about 03:15 local time, a Smith Ted Aerostar 601P registered N60CF was involved in an accident near Wheeling, West Virginia, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 December 2004 at 03:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Wheeling, West Virginia, United States

Coordinates

40.1717, -80.6411

Aircraft

Smith Ted Aerostar 601P

Registration

N60CF

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Wheeling

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

IAD05CA025

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot misjudged his distance/speed, and his intentional landing on an unsuitable taxiway at night. A factor in the accident was the night light conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot attempted a night landing on a taxiway in front of the control tower, which was closed at the time. The airplane overran the end of the taxiway, rolled down an embankment and struck trees. The pilot, whose identity was not confirmed, was believed to have incurred minor injuries. He subsequently paid a passerby to take him to a local hotel, and after a night's rest, he left the area. Ownership of the airplane could not be determined due to a recent sale. Approximately 250 kilos of cocaine were found onboard the airplane. Further investigation was being conducted by federal authorities and local law enforcement.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.