Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) crash, Jan 26, 2003 (2 killed)
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) accident on January 26, 2003 near Scottsdale, Arizona, United States with 2 fatalities. Cause: Pilot's failure to...
- Date: January 26, 2003
- Aircraft: Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
- Location: Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
- Fatalities: 2
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: Pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance during a dark night takeoff, with diverted attention a likely contributor.
A Piper Aerostar took off at night from Scottsdale and flew into mountainous terrain about five miles from the airport. Radar data showed the aircraft climbing slowly on a track that did not follow the planned route, and the pilot changed his transponder code shortly before impact. The aircraft exploded on impact. Both occupants died.