# NTSB DEN93LA013: Mitsubishi MU-2B-25, N473FW, Broomfield, CO, November 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 20, 1992, 18:40 local (Nov 21, 1992, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Broomfield, CO
- Coordinates: 39.940322, -105.060623 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9403&lon=-105.0606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18263
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18263/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA013

## Probable cause

A FAILURE BY FBO PERSONNEL TO PROPERLY CONNECT THE NOSE WHEEL TORQUE LINK AFTER TOWING THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - snow
  - landing gear,steering system - disconnected (cause)
  - proper assistance - not performed, fbo personnel (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - snow covered

## Analysis

IN PREPARATION FOR A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT WITH TAKEOFF OCCURRING DURING A SNOW STORM, THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOADED IN THE HANGAR AND TOWED OUT BY FBO PERSONNEL.  FOLLOWING THE TOW, THE TORQUE LINK WAS NOT PROPERLY CONNECTED AND SEPARATED DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN.  DUE TO A LOSS OF NOSE WHEEL STEERING, THE TAKEOFF WAS ABORTED.  THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY DURING THE ABORT AND THE NOSE WHEEL WAS SHEARED OFF CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH ENGINES, WINGS, THE FUSELAGE, AND LANDING GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N473FW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N473FW-1994-11-17), registration cancelled 1994-11-17, S/N 269 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MITSUBISHI MU-2B-25
- Registry model: [Mitsubishi MU-2B-25](https://openairdocs.org/model/mitsubishi-mu-2b-25) (registry code 5780409) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 269
- Airframe hours: 3406
- Engines: GARRETT TPE331-6 725 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Wayne C. Muhler, doing business as Muhl Air
- Registered owner: Wayne C. Muhler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 23, 1991, 60 hours before
- Departed: BJC
- Destination: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BJC, Jefferson County, runway 29, 9,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 13,753 total, 4,200 in this make and model, 1,346 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 10° at 12 knots
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BJC, 1 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 19921120047599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921120047599A), Nov 20, 1992: Mtsbsi MU2B25, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Noise on takeoff roll. Aborted. Ran off runway. Sheared nose gear. Torque link dual pins removed to tow. One missing

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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