# NTSB FTW84LA267: Mitsubishi MU-2N, N850MA, Sugarland, TX, June 9, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1984, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Sugarland, TX
- Coordinates: 29.69989, -95.45932 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6999&lon=-95.4593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21363
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA267
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21363/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA267

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE SHORT FLIGHT FROM HOBBY TO HULL AIRPORT WAS CONDUCTED IN VFR CONDITIONS. A VISUAL APPROACH WAS MADE TO RUNWAY 17 AT HULL AIRPORT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS HIGH ON THE APPROACH PATH WHEN HE TURNED TO THE FINAL APPROACH HEADING. HE REDUCED POWER TO DESCEND TO THE PROPER GLIDE PATH. THEN NOTICED THAT HIS RATE OF DESCENT OF ABOUT 900 FPM. POWER WAS ADDED TO CHECK THE DESCENT RATE. WHEN THE FLAPS WERE LOWERED FROM 20 DEGREES TO 40 DEGREES, ON SHORT FINAL, THE DESCENT RATE AGAIN INCREASED AND AGAIN PWR WAS ADDED AND THE NOSE RAISED TO SLOW THE DESCENT RATE. THE A/C TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 75 FT SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE A/C LANDING GEAR WAS DAMAGED BY THE RAILROAD TIES ON THE BANK OF A CANAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N850MA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N850MA-1994-06-14), registration cancelled 1994-06-14, S/N 690 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MITSUBISHI MU-2N
- Registry model: [Mitsubishi MU-2B-36](https://openairdocs.org/model/mitsubishi-mu-2b-36) (registry code 5780412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 690
- Airframe hours: 2058
- Engines: AIRESEARCH PTE-331-5252M turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: A. J. & M. J. Saragusa
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 15, 1984
- Departed: HOU, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: SGR, SUGARLAND, TX
- Airport: SGR, Hull Field, runway 17, 4,540 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 654 total, 19 in this make and model, 597 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 20 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 19840609023479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840609023479A), Jun 9, 1984: Mtsbsi MU2B36A, Sugarland, TX, Substantial damage. Damaged occurred when pilot allowed the aircraft to land short of the runway.

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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