# NTSB DCA89LA012: Mitsubishi MU-2J, N296MA, Missing (Pacific Ocean), December 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 9, 1988, 07:21 local (12:21 UTC)
- Place: Missing (Pacific Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15914
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA89LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15914/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA89LA012

## Sequence of events

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

- Missing aircraft, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command
  - light condition - dark night
  - weather condition - thunderstorm
  - weather condition - icing conditions

## Analysis

DURING A FLT AT NIGHT FROM MAJURO, MARSHALL ISLANDS TO CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA, THE PLT REQUESTED A DSCNT FROM FL 190 TO 12,000 TO REMOVE ICE FROM THE AIRFRAME. LATER, HE REQUESTED A CLIMB TO FL 200. AFTER STARTING THE CLIMB, HE MADE A MAYDAY CALL TO SIDNEY FLT SERVICE & RPRTD THE ACFT WAS IN AN UNCTLD DSCNT. NO FURTHER TRANSMISSION WAS RCVD FROM THE ACFT. THE ACFT WAS PRESUMED TO HAVE CRASHED AT SEA, ABOUT 370 MI ENE OF CAIRNS. NEITHER THE ACFT NOR THE PLT WAS FND. THUNDERSTORMS WERE RPRTD IN THE AREA & THE PLT RPRTD BEING IN THE CLOUDS DURING AN EARLIER DSCNT TO 12,000'. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT WAS BEING FERRIED FM TULSA, OK. A PREVIOUS PLT, WHO FLEW IT TO OAKLAND, REFUSED TO CONT THE FLT DUE TO A CABIN PRESSURIZATION PROBLEM. A 2ND PLT, WHO WAS GOING TO CONT THE FLT, RTRND TO OAKLAND & LNDD THE ACFT IN AN OVER WT COND, WHICH RESULTED IN STRUCTURAL DMG. A 3RD PLT CONTD THE FLT, MAKING STOPS IN HAWAII & THE MARSHALL ISLANDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N296MA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N296MA-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N 592, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MITSUBISHI MU-2J
- Registry model: [Mitsubishi MU-2B-35](https://openairdocs.org/model/mitsubishi-mu-2b-35) (registry code 5780411) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01514, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 592
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-331 724 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: John C. Larcombe
- Registered owner: Auto Search Pty Ltd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MAJU, MAJURO
- Destination: CAIRNS,AUSTRALI, OF
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Temperature: -0 °F

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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