Potomac Imaging Associates

Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)

During a VOR runway 22 approach, the instrument rated pilot sighted the runway and cancelled his IFR flight plan. As he was circling to land, the airplane stalled and collided with terrain. Witnesses stated that the airplane made a steep left banking turn about 250 feet above the ground. According to witnesses, upon roll out of the turn, the airplane's wings rocked back and forth, the nose and right wing dropped below the horizon, and the airplane fell to the ground. Instrument meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and witnesses stated that the ceiling was about 400 to 500 feet above the ground. Weather facilities in the area were forecasting about 1,000 foot ceilings throughout the area. All three occupants were killed.