Smith AEROSTAR 600A accident near Tallahassee, Florida, October 27, 2017
On October 27, 2017 at about 9:50 pm local time, a 1977 Smith AEROSTAR 600A, registered N211W, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Tallahassee, Florida (Tallahassee Intl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's incorrect pitch control and premature landing gear retraction during the initial climb.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 27, 2017 · about 9:50 pm local time
- Place
- Tallahassee, Florida · Tallahassee Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Smith AEROSTAR 600A 600, built 1977 · all AEROSTAR 600As on the register
- Registration
- N211W · registry record · serial 60-0460-153
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the multiengine, retractable-landing-gear airplane reported that, during the initial climb, he "noted 105 IAS [indicated airspeed] as normal and reached down to retract the gear." He added that he "glanced down" to make sure he had grabbed the landing gear selector, and when he looked back outside, the airplane was "near the runway." He further added that he "pulled back hard on the yoke," but the propellers struck the runway, and the airplane then settled on the runway and skidded into the grass to the left. The pilot reported in the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Safety Recommendation section that the airplane was "not high enough above [the] ground to raise the gear," and he may have "relaxed back-pressure on the yoke after rotation," and when leaning slightly forward for the gear handle, the yoke may had been pushed forward slightly. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration's Airplane Flying Handbook stated, in part: Avoid premature landing gear retraction and do not retract the landing gear until a positive rate of climb is indicated on the flight instruments. If the airplane has not attained a positive rate of climb, there is always the chance it may settle back onto the runway with the gear retracted. This is especially so in cases of premature lift-off. Remember that leaning forward to reach the landing gear selector may result in inadvertent forward pressure on the yoke, which causes the airplane to descend.
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 control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Abnormal runway contact during initial climb
- Runway excursion during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action sequence › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear selector › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,955 hours in all; 204 in this make and model; 42 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 1,947 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 27, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,931.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 11, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 5,500 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Lycoming IO-540-K1J5 (piston); 5,932 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming IO-540-K1J5 (piston); 408 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TLH Tallahassee FL at 10:50 pm
- Destination: 06A Tuskegee AL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 09, 8,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; a few clouds at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from KTLH
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.