# NTSB DEN78FA065: Mitsubishi MU-2J, N178MA, Raton, NM, August 25, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 25, 1978
- Place: Raton, NM · RATON, NM
- Location: 36.8878° N, 104.4404° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Raton, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8878&lon=-104.4404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 29, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139415
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN78FA065
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN78FA065

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3938  78/8/25  NR.RATON,NM           MITSUBISHI MU-2J    CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 2337                    N178MA              PX-  5  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG            37, 3702 TOTAL HOURS, 679
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CREWS FIELD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          KANSAS CITY,MO             RATON,NM
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: DESCENDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGMENT
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- RECOVERY DATE 08/27/78.ALCOHOL 64 MG % FROM LUNGTISSUE,54 MG % FROM GASTRIC CONTENTS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N178MA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N178MA-2009-07-09), registration cancelled 2009-07-09, S/N 554, built 1972 (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 331SER 705HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-331ser-705hp) (registry code 01506, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Crews Field

## 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 19780825042449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780825042449A), Aug 25, 1978: Mtsbsi MU2B35, Raton, NM, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Recovery date 08/27/78.alcohol 64 mg from lungtissue,54 mg frastric contents.

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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