Smith Aerostar 601P accident near Alexandria, Minnesota, July 2, 2008
On July 2, 2008 at about 12:00 pm local time, a Smith Aerostar 601P, registered N601TS, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Alexandria, Minnesota (Chandler Field Airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the unsuitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 2, 2008 · about 12:00 pm local time
- Place
- Alexandria, Minnesota · Chandler Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Smith Aerostar 601P · all Aerostar 601Ps on the register
- Registration
- N601TS · no longer on the register · serial 61P-0194-014
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that on the previous flight the left engine surged at 14,700 feet and the flight could not be conducted at the planned altitude of 19,000 feet. He stated that during descent to land the engines performed normally at lower altitudes. After landing he talked with a mechanic on the telephone and a decision was made to conduct the next leg of the trip at a lower altitude. During the takeoff, a loss of power was experienced and the pilot attempted to return to the airport. During the turn back to the airport, the airplane lost altitude and the pilot decided to turn away from the populated areas and land the airplane in a field. During the landing the airplane struck a ditch. An examination of the airplane subsequent to the accident did not reveal any defects that would have resulted in a loss of engine power.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › (general) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,600 hours in all; 32 in this make and model; 69 in the last 90 days; 25 in the last 30 days; 8,200 as pilot in command; 1,500 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 19, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 2, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 6,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AXN Alexandria MN at 12:00 pm
- Destination: IH0 St Louis MO
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from AXN, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.