# NTSB DCA92MA049: Mitsubishi MU-2B-60, N74FB, Greenwood, IN, September 11, 1992 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report - Date: September 11, 1992, 14:57 local (19:57 UTC) - Place: Greenwood, IN - Coordinates: 39.669784, -86.070632 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6698&lon=-86.0706&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 6 fatal, 2 serious - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1993 - Report: Board-adopted at Board Meeting - Investigation class: Class 1 - NTSB office: Major Investigations Division - Safety recommendations: Yes - NTSB case key (mKey): 15958 - NTSB case page: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/DCA92MA049.aspx - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15958/pdf - Board report AAR9305 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR9305.pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA92MA049 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) THE INHERENT LIMITATIONS OF THE SEE-AND-AVOID CONCEPT OF SEPARATION OF AIRCRAFT OPERATING UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES THAT PRECLUDED THE PILOTS OF THE MU-2 AND THE PA-32 FROM RECOGNIZING A COLLISION HAZARD AND TAKING ACTIONS TO AVOID THE MIDAIR COLLISION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE MU-2 PILOT TO USE ALL THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SERVICES AVAILABLE BY NOT ACTIVATING HIS INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES FLIGHT PLAN BEFORE TAKEOFF. ALSO CONTRIBUTING TO THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO FOLLOW RECOMMENDED TRAFFIC PATTERN PROCEDURES, AS RECOMMENDED IN THE AIRMAN'S INFORMATION MANUAL, FOR AIRPORT ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES. (NTSB REPORT AAR-93/05) ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, climb - to cruise - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - communications/information/atc - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - Midair collision, descent - normal - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - communications/information/atc - not obtained, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE PA-32, N82419, HAD BEEN RECEIVING ATC RADAR SERVICES EN ROUTE TO THE GREENWOOD MUNI ARPT. RADAR SERVICES WERE TERMINATED 3 MI FROM THE ARPT. THE MU-2, N74FB, HAD JUST TAKEN OFF FROM THE ARPT, AND HAD REPORTED TO ATC IN ANTICIPATION OF RECEIVING HIS IFR CLEARANCE. THE FLIGHT HAD NOT YET BEEN IDENTIFIED ON RADAR. THE TWO AIRPLANES COLLIDED APRX 2 MI FROM THE ARPT AT 2,100 FT MSL. THE COLLISION TOOK PLACE JUST OUTSIDE AND TO THE EAST OF THE INDIANAPOLIS AIRPORT RADAR SERVICE AREA (ARSA). THE MU-2 TRACK WAS 066 DEG, AND THE PA-32 TRACK WAS 174 DEG. THE PAX/PLT ON THE PA-32 TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE & WAS ABLE TO MAKE A CONTROLLED LANDING. GUIDANCE FOR TRAFFIC PATTERN OPERATIONS & RECOMMENDED ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE PROCEDURES IS FOUND IN THE AIRMAN'S INFORMATION MANUAL. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N74FB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74FB-1993-05-03), registration cancelled 1993-05-03, S/N 770SA (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: 770S.A. - Airframe hours: 4098 - Engines: GARRETT TPE331-10-511 900 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91 - Operator: Solar Sources Inc. - Registered owner: Solar Sources - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, May 29, 1992, 76 hours before - Destination: COL, COLUMBUS, OH - Airport: Greenwood Muni ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N82419](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N82419-1993-02-25), registration cancelled 1993-02-25, S/N 328006074 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-8006074 - Airframe hours: 2416 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Raf Flying Servies - Registered owner: Control Systems Engineering - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 1992, 53 hours before - Departed: INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Airport: Greenwood Muni ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N74FB; age 68; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 19,743 total, 9,000 in this make and model, 92 in the last 90 days - Pilot, aircraft N82419; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,224 total, 150 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: IND, 12 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19920911036531A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920911036531A), Sep 11, 1992: Mtsbsi MU2B60, Indianapolis, IN, Destroyed, 5 fatal. On VFR climbout collided with N82419 approaching departure airport. Intended pick up IFR in air. Right turn out. - [Accident 19920911036532A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920911036532A), Sep 11, 1992: Piper PA32301, Indianapolis, IN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Collided with N74FB while approaching airport. Failed to check for traffic. Distracted with photo activities. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.