On October 2, 1986, a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) (registration N217HM) operated by Jozen Tap Corporation was involved in an aviation accident near Tallahassee, United States of America during landing or approach. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Occurrence #1: Loss of engine power due to misadjusted fuel servo mixture and idle speed settings. Occurrence #2: Loss of control due to poor in-flight planning/decision and failure to maintain directional control. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
During a left downwind approach to runway 16, the aircraft veered left in a nose-high attitude, disappeared behind trees, and crashed. Post-crash examination revealed the left engine was not producing power due to misadjusted fuel servo mixture and idle speed settings. The pilot was killed.
Accident Sequence
Witnesses reported observing the aircraft on a left downwind approach to runway 16. The aircraft turned base to final normally, but then veered to the left of the runway in a nose-high attitude. It disappeared behind a line of trees and crashed approximately 500 feet east of runway 16. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was killed.
Aircraft Examination
Post-crash examination of the aircraft revealed that the left engine was not producing power at the time of impact. Further examination determined that the left engine's fuel servo fuel mixture and idle speed settings were misadjusted.
Probable Cause Findings
The official investigation identified three occurrences contributing to the accident. The first was a loss of engine power during the approach, attributed to misadjusted fuel servo mixture and idle speed settings. The second was a loss of control in flight, resulting from poor in-flight planning and decision-making by the pilot in command and failure to maintain directional control. The third was an in-flight collision with trees during an uncontrolled descent.