Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) crash, Jan 23, 2010 (2 killed)
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) accident on January 23, 2010 near Aurora-Sugar Grove, Illinois, United States with 2 fatalities. Cause: The...
- Date: January 23, 2010
- Aircraft: Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
- Location: Aurora-Sugar Grove, Illinois, United States
- Fatalities: 2
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: The pilot's spatial disorientation in fog, followed by a failure to maintain control of the airplane.
A Piper Aerostar took off from Aurora, Illinois in fog with a vertical visibility of about 100 feet, after the pilot appeared to skip a preflight inspection. The pilot lost control after a low turn, and the aircraft struck trees and a residence about 2.3 miles from the airport. Both occupants were killed, and no mechanical failure was found.