Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) crash, Mar 31, 1989 (5 killed)
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) accident on March 31, 1989 near Santa Ana-John Wayne, California, United States with 5 fatalities. Cause: The...
- Date: March 31, 1989
- Aircraft: Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
- Location: Santa Ana-John Wayne, California, United States
- Fatalities: 5
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: The pilot failed to reach adequate airspeed before turning back toward the airport after the right engine lost power. An improperly installed fuel injector reference air line kit that let unfiltered air into the injectors was a contributing factor.
A Piper Aerostar with five people aboard, bound for Pocatello and Camrose, was destroyed after a right engine problem on takeoff from Santa Ana, California on 31 March 1989. The pilot turned back toward the airport without reaching adequate airspeed and the aircraft stalled into tennis courts. All five occupants were killed.