# NTSB DEN92FA064: Mitsubishi MU-2B-30, N108SC, Alamagordo, NM, June 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1992, 23:25 local (Jun 25, 1992, 05:25 UTC)
- Place: Alamagordo, NM
- Coordinates: 32.840625, -106.079368 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8406&lon=-106.0794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18153
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92FA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18153/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92FA064

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO EXERCISE ADEQUATE VFR DEPARTURE TERRAIN AVOIDANCE PROCEDURES, AND THE FAILURE OF THE CONTROLLER TO ISSUE A SAFETY ALERT TO THE PILOT. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA, THE DARK NIGHT, AND THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - vfr procedures - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - safety advisory - not issued, atc personnel(dep/apch) (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLT HAD DEPARTED THE ALAMAGORDO WHITE SANDS REGIONAL ARPT AFTER A FUEL STOP. THE PILOT HAD EARLIER INDICATED TO ATC THAT HE WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE AREA. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE AT 2321 THE PILOT WAS INFORMED THAT DEPARTURE RADAR WAS OUT OF SERVICE. THE FLT DEPARTED WITH A VFR DEPARTURE. AT 2324 THE PILOT WAS ADVISED THAT RADAR WAS BACK IN SERVICE, AND CONFIRMED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLIMBING THRU 5,300 FT. DISCUSSION ENSUED BETWEEN THE PILOT AND CONTROLLER CONCERNING TERRAIN CLEARANCE. AT 2324 THE PILOT INDICATED HE WAS TURNING LEFT DUE TO NOT BEING SURE IF A HILL WAS IN HIS PATH. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A MOUNTAIN AT 6,100 FT MSL, 1,500 FT BELOW THE SUMMIT. THE MINIMUM VECTORING ALTITUDE IN THE AREA WAS 11,000 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N108SC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N108SC-1993-03-15), registration cancelled 1993-03-15, S/N 545 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MITSUBISHI MU-2B-30
- Registry model: [Mitsubishi MU-2B-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/mitsubishi-mu-2b-30) (registry code 5780410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 545
- Airframe hours: 4251
- Engines: GARRETT TPE331-1-151A 705 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William G. Whitehead
- Registered owner: William G. Whitehead
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 31, 1992, 77 hours before
- Departed: ALM
- Destination: T27, BURNET, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,072 total, 1,095 in this make and model, 9,036 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HMN, 7 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 19920624031079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920624031079A), Jun 24, 1992: Mtsbsi MU2B30, Alamogordo, NM, Destroyed, 6 fatal. Departed VFR night. Talking to ATC, circling to go above mountains but hit mountain just below ridgeline.

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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