Were there any fatalities in the 1988-11-02 Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

Pilot Killed in Collision with Power Lines and Trees on Final Approach in Fog (N60819)

Q: What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1988-11-02 involved a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601), registration N60819, operated by Conroe Aviation Services, at Houston-George Bush-Intercontinental, United States of America.

On November 2, 1988, a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) (registration N60819) operated by Conroe Aviation Services was involved in an aviation accident near Houston-George Bush-Intercontinental, United States of America during landing or approach. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Pilot's decision to fly the approach visually with outside reference to the lights and inadvertently descending below the decision height off the proper glide path. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781214718Data API Editorial standards

A pilot was killed when the aircraft struck power lines and trees during final approach in fog. The official probable cause cites the pilot's decision to fly visually and descend below decision height off the proper glide path.

Accident Overview

The aircraft collided with power lines and trees while on final approach. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was killed in the accident. No preimpact failures or malfunctions of the aircraft were found.

Weather Conditions

The reported weather immediately following the accident was an indefinite ceiling zero, sky obscured, and visibility 1/16 of a mile in fog. The pilot had diverted from his intended destination due to fog.

Probable Cause and Findings

The official probable cause was the pilot's decision to fly the approach visually with outside reference to the lights and inadvertently descending below the decision height off the proper glide path.

Occurrence #1: In-Flight Collision with Object

Phase of operation: Approach - FAF/outer marker to threshold (IFR)

#### Findings 1. (f) Weather condition - fog 2. (f) Weather condition - obscuration 3. (c) In-flight planning/decision - poor - pilot in command 4. (c) Decision height - below - pilot in command 5. (c) Proper glidepath - not maintained - pilot in command 6. (f) Object - wire, transmission 7. (f) Object - tree(s)

Controlled flight into terrain

1988-11-02: Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) (N60819) — Conroe Aviation Services — Houston-George Bush-Intercontinental, United States of America