Smith AEROSTAR 601P N601TS

Summary

On 2 July 2008 at about 12:00 local time, a Smith AEROSTAR 601P registered N601TS was involved in an accident near Alexandria, Minnesota, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 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

2 July 2008 at 12:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Alexandria, Minnesota, United States

Nearest airport

Chandler Field Airport (AXN)

Coordinates

45.8704, -95.3710

Aircraft

Smith AEROSTAR 601P

Registration

N601TS

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Alexandria → St Louis

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI08LA180

4 people had minor injuries.

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the unsuitable terrain for the forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that on the previous flight the left engine surged at 14,700 feet and the flight could not be conducted at the planned altitude of 19,000 feet. He stated that during descent to land the engines performed normally at lower altitudes. After landing he talked with a mechanic on the telephone and a decision was made to conduct the next leg of the trip at a lower altitude. During the takeoff, a loss of power was experienced and the pilot attempted to return to the airport. During the turn back to the airport, the airplane lost altitude and the pilot decided to turn away from the populated areas and land the airplane in a field. During the landing the airplane struck a ditch. An examination of the airplane subsequent to the accident did not reveal any defects that would have resulted in a loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.