# NTSB FTW81FA139: Mitsubishi MU-2B, N233MA, Mcleod, TX, September 2, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 2, 1981
- Place: Mcleod, TX · MCLEOD, TX
- Location: 32.9455° N, 94.0777° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of McLeod, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9455&lon=-94.0777&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 20, 1982
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123559
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81FA139
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA139

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3593   81/9/2  NR.MCLEOD,TX          MITSUBISHI MU-2B    CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 53, 2526
        TIME - 1653                    N233MA              PX-  4  0  0  CORP/EXEC                 TOTAL HOURS, 155 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          DALLAS,TX                   THOMSON,GA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRFRAME ICE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - WEATHER PERSONNEL: INADEQUATE/INCORRECT WEATHER BRIEFING
           WEATHER - ICING CONDITIONS-INCLUDES SLEET,FREEZING RAIN,ETC.
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  3000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      83
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      IFR
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- BRFD BY FSS PSNL,NOT ADVD-FCST ICG.LOST 53KTS,CLBG FM FL210-230,ENTERED RAPID DSCNT,OBSD SPINNING.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N233MA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N233MA-1984-07-11), registration cancelled 1984-07-11, S/N 251 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MITSUBISHI MU-2B
- Registry model: [Mitsubishi MU-2B-25](https://openairdocs.org/model/mitsubishi-mu-2b-25) (registry code 5780409) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19810902054749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810902054749A), Sep 2, 1981: Mtsbsi MU2B25, Mcleod, TX, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Witness observed airplane spinning out of clouds. Descent began from FL210. Icing in clouds. No mechanical problem.

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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