# NTSB DEN82AA191: Mitsubishi MU-2B-25, N66U, Hayden, CO, September 12, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 12, 1982, 13:28 local (19:28 UTC)
- Place: Hayden, CO
- Coordinates: 40.479328, -107.260017 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4793&lon=-107.2600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 12, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70985
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82AA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70985/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82AA191

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - roll/run
  - turbine assembly,shaft bearing - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - gear retraction - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

A MAINT SUPERVISOR & 2 PLTS NOTED THAT THE L ENG DID NOT RESPOND NORMALLY WHILE BEING STARTED. AFT STARTING, THE PLT TAXIED TO RWY 10 FOR AN IFR DEPARTURE. SINCE THE TWY DID NOT EXTEND TO THE END OF THE RWY, THE PLT OF ANOTHER ACFT WAITED ON THE TWY, JUST SHORT OF THE RWY, APRX 2967 FT FROM THE END. HE OBSD SMOKE COMING FROM THE L ENG OF THE MU-2 & REPORTED THIS INFO ON THE UNICOM FREQ. HE REPORTED THAT THE MU-2 CONTD & ROTATED FOR TKOF APRX 200 TO 250 YDS EAST OF HIS PSN. RPRTDLY, THE ACFT CLIMBED TO APRX 300-400 FT AFL, THEN TURNED LEFT TWD HIGHER TERRAIN. AFTER TURNING, IT ENTER WHAT 2 WITNESSES DESCRIBED AS A VMC ROLL, THEN CRASHED & BURNED. AN EXAM OF THE AIRFRAME REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURES. A TEARDOWN OF THE L ENG REVEALED THAT A TURBINE BEARING, PN 3101092-1, HAD BEEN MISALIGNED & SUBSEQUENTLY BEGAN TO FAIL, DAMAGING THE 2ND & 3RD STAGES OF THE TURBINE SECTION. THE ARPT ELEV WAS 6597 FT. THE COMPUTED TKOF ROLL WAS 1620 FT & THE COMPUTED ACCELERATE-STOP DISTANCE WAS 3100 FT. THE LNDG GEAR & SEL, FND IN DWN PSN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N66U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MITSUBISHI MU-2B-25
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 309
- Airframe hours: 1493
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-331-6-252 665 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Pat Griffin Company
- Registered owner: Pat Griffin Company
- Departed: 3V5, FORT COLLINS, CO
- Destination: 3V5, FORT COLLINS, CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HDN, Yampa Valley, runway 10, 6,999 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private, commercial, military; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 10,451 total, 833 in this make and model, 2,451 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 135 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EGE, 53 nm away

## 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 19820912045119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820912045119A), Sep 12, 1982: Mtsbsi MU2B25, Hayden, CO, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Pilot lost control of aircraft after left engine malfunction during takeoff. Density altitude of 8100 ft was factor.

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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