# NTSB CHI89FA026: Mitsubishi MU-2B-60, N271MA, Chicago, IL, November 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 16, 1988, 22:33 local (Nov 17, 1988, 04:33 UTC)
- Place: Chicago, IL
- Coordinates: 41.780296, -87.770256 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7803&lon=-87.7703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14236
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89FA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14236/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA026

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - excessive workload (task overload), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - seat belt - not used, pilot in command
  - shoulder harness - not used, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE FIRST TAKEOFF WAS ABORTED DUE TO A PERCEIVED ENGINE PROBLEM. SIX MINUTES LATER ON SECOND TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED TO 50 FEET, DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT, ROLLED RIGHT AND IMPACTED IN THE INFIELD. THIS WAS A SINGLE PILOT OPERATION IN A COMPLEX AIRCRAFT. WINDS EXCEEDED THE DEMONSTRATED CROSSWIND LIMITATION OF THE AIRCRAFT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE PILOT WAS USING THE SEAT BELT OR SHOULDER HARNESS. POST CRASH INVESTIGATION OF BOTH ENGINES AND PROPS DETERMINED THAT THERE WERE NO OPERATIONAL DEFECTS AND THAT BOTH WERE PORDUCING POWER AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. STRONG GUSTY WINDS VARYING IN INTENSITY FROM 15 TO 30 KNOTS AND VARYING IN DIRECTION FROM SOUTHWEST TO NORTHWEST WERE PREVALENT AT THE AIRPORT ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PROP CONDITION LEVERS WERE FOUND IN THE TAXI POSITION AND THE POWER LEVERS WERE SET WITH THE LEFT ENGINE NEAR FLIGHT IDLE POSITION AND THE RIGHT ENGINE AT THE TAKEOFF POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N271MA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N271MA-1994-12-01), registration cancelled 1994-12-01, S/N 797SA (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MITSUBISHI MU-2B-60
- Registry model: [Mitsubishi MU-2B-60](https://openairdocs.org/model/mitsubishi-mu-2b-60) (registry code 5780460) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: S.A.797
- Airframe hours: 4282
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-331-10511 940 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Corporate Aviation Svcs. Inc., doing business as Corporate Aviation Svcs. Inc.
- Registered owner: Corporate Aviation Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 4, 1988, 304 hours before
- Destination: STL, ST. LOUIS, MO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MDW, Chicago Midway, runway 31L, 6,519 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,507 total, 904 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command, 303 in the last 90 days, 102 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 250° at 15 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MDW

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19881116050739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881116050739A), Nov 16, 1988: Mtsbsi MU2B60, Chicago, IL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control on initial climbout. Severe gusty winds existed. Safety belt not in use.

## Other investigations on N271MA (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MKC87FA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA130), Jul 3, 1987: Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 (N271MA), Kansas City, MO, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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