Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) crash, Sep 2, 2000 (1 killed)
Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) accident on September 2, 2000 near Port Keats, Northern Territory, Australia with 1 fatality. Cause: The pilot...
- Date: September 2, 2000
- Aircraft: Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)
- Location: Port Keats, Northern Territory, Australia
- Fatalities: 1
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: The pilot lost control for reasons the ATSB could not determine. The left wing then failed in overload, causing an in-flight breakup. The pilot's limited recent instrument experience and the dark, moonless night may have added to his workload.
A single-pilot Piper Aerostar ferry flight departed Port Keats at night for Darwin. Shortly after takeoff the pilot lost control, and the left wing failed under aerodynamic load, breaking the airframe apart in flight. The pilot was killed and the wreckage was scattered over about 24 km.