# NTSB FTW84FA028: Mitsubishi MU-2B, N444PA, Patterson, LA, October 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1983, 10:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Patterson, LA
- Coordinates: 29.690183, -91.299774 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6902&lon=-91.2998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21073
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21073/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA028

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WHILE DESCENDING INTO THE PATTERSON AREA ON AN IFR FLT PLAN, THE PLT WAS CLEARED TO HOLD & WAS ADVISED THAT HE WOULD BE THE #2 ACFT FOR AN APPROACH TO THE PATTERSON ARPT. A FEW WINUTES LATER THE PLT ASKED HOW LONG THE DELAY WOULD BE. HE SUBSEQUENTLY STATED HE HAD THE ARPT, CANCELLED IFR & WAS GOING IN VFR. A PLT WHO HAD JUST DEPARTED THE ARPT HEARD A MITSUBISHI CALL 'TURNING BASE.' HE COULD NOT SEE AN ACFT ON BASE FOR RWY 5. HE CALLED BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A REPLY. THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES ALONG A HEADING OF ABOUT 225 DEG. THE FLAPS WERE EXTENDED ABOUT 5 DEG & THE LANDING GEAR WERE EXTENDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N444PA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MITSUBISHI MU-2B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 691
- Airframe hours: 2237
- Engines: Airesearch TPE-331-252M 775 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: The Wil-Mc Oil Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 26, 1983, 29 hours before
- Departed: ADS, ADDISON, TX
- Airport: Patterson, runway 5

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,372 total, 1,211 in this make and model, 3,372 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Observed at: PTN, 2 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 19831020054859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831020054859A), Oct 20, 1983: Mtsbsi MU2B36A, Patterson, LA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft crashed into trees approaching airport for landing.

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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