Accident Overview
On May 6, 2021, about 1520 eastern daylight time, a Ted Smith Aerostar 600, Canadian registration C-FAAZ, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near La Belle, Florida. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured, and the pilot-rated passenger was seriously injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight History
The pilot-rated passenger, who operated an aircraft maintenance facility at La Belle Municipal Airport (X14), reported that the pilot brought the airplane for a 100-hour inspection. Discrepancies led to a full annual inspection, completed nearly a month before the accident. The passenger flew the airplane a couple of times during that period, confirming systems functioned normally.
On the accident day, after paperwork, the pilot requested a flight. They completed a short flight, returned, fueled with 130 gallons, and departed again. The passenger could not recall details of the accident flight or sequence.
Data and Witness Accounts
ADS-B data showed departure from X14 at about 1450, climbing to 3,100 ft on an eastbound heading. At 1501:00, the airplane turned south near Lake Okeechobee, then eastbound. Engine data monitor indicated left engine power loss at 1505:18 at about 2,500 ft. Battery voltage perturbation at 1507:30 suggested starter engagement. Left engine power was restored by 1509:42.
At 1517:08, right engine power loss occurred, followed immediately by left engine power loss at 1517:12, while the airplane was about 6 nautical miles from X14 at 3,500 ft. A voltage perturbation at 1518:24 indicated another starter engagement, but left engine did not regain full power.
A witness reported the airplane at treetop height, wings level, with no engine sound. The propellers appeared not turning and landing gear was down. The airplane struck a tree and impacted the ground.
Wreckage Examination
The wreckage path was 230 ft long on a heading of 270°. The left propeller blades showed twisting and bending; right propeller blades were feathered. Left throttle was full forward, right throttle near idle. Left mixture was idle-cutoff, right mixture slightly forward. Both boost pump switches were off. Flaps were set to about 14°.
Engine and Propeller Analysis
The left engine was rotated by hand, compression confirmed, ignition and fuel system functional. The right engine was tested; a loose fuel nozzle was found. Magneto damage was noted. The right propeller was in feathered position; the hydraulic unit cycled normally. Sound spectrum analysis showed one propeller at about 1,618 rpm and another at about 958 rpm, consistent with one engine producing power and the other windmilling.
Medical and Toxicological Findings
The 67-year-old pilot held a Canadian certificate with a restriction for reading glasses and was taking Xarelto. Autopsy determined cause of death as atlanto-occipital dislocation due to blunt force trauma. Toxicology detected cetirizine, codeine, morphine, lamotrigine, acetaminophen, ketorolac, and caffeine.
Additional Information
The aircraft owner's manual provides procedures for engine failure, including throttle, prop, mixture, and boost pump settings. FAA and Transport Canada guidance note altitude restrictions for feathering and restart procedures.