Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) crash, Dec 18, 2004
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) accident on December 18, 2004 near Wheeling-Ohio County, West Virginia, United States with no fatalities. Cause:...
- Date: December 18, 2004
- Aircraft: Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
- Location: Wheeling-Ohio County, West Virginia, United States
- Fatalities: 0
- Phase of flight: Approach and landing
- Cause: The pilot misjudged distance and speed and landed intentionally on an unsuitable taxiway at night, with night light conditions as a factor.
A Piper Aerostar attempted a night landing on a taxiway in front of the closed control tower at Wheeling-Ohio County. It overran the taxiway, rolled down an embankment and struck trees. The pilot, who was later linked to a large cocaine load found on board, walked away with minor injuries.