# NTSB GAA15CA303: Mitsubishi MU 2B-25, N553T, Arvin, CA, August 22, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 22, 2015, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Arvin, CA
- Coordinates: 35.175834, -118.922775 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1758&lon=-118.9228&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi-into takeoff position: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 5, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93677
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA303
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93677/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93677
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA303

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while taxiing into position for takeoff on a narrow private airstrip, resulting in the left wing striking a tree.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mitsubishi MU-2B-25, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=5780409), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Mitsubishi MU-2B-25, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=5780409), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Mitsubishi MU-2B-25, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=5780409), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi-into takeoff position: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Mitsubishi MU-2B-25, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=5780409), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the twin-engine, high-wing airplane, reported that while positioning the airplane for takeoff on a narrow private airstrip, the left wing impacted a tree, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with airplane single engine land rating, but did not hold a multi-engine rating. The Federal Aviation Administration has published the Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3A (2004). This handbook discusses multi-engine ground handling and states in part: Good habits learned with single-engine airplanes are directly applicable to multiengine airplanes for preflight and engine start. Upon placing the airplane in motion to taxi, the new multiengine pilot will notice several differences, however. The most obvious is the increased wingspan and the need for even greater vigilance while taxiing in close quarters. Ground handling may seem somewhat ponderous and the multiengine airplane will not be as nimble as the typical two- or four-place single-engine airplane. As always, use care not to ride the brakes by keeping engine power to a minimum. One ground handling advantage of the multiengine airplane over single engine airplanes is the differential power capability. Turning with an assist from differential power minimizes both the need for brakes during turns and the turning radius.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the twin-engine, high-wing airplane, reported that while positioning the airplane for takeoff on a narrow private airstrip, the left wing impacted a tree, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with airplane single engine land rating, but did not hold a multi-engine rating. The Federal Aviation Administration has published the Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3A (2004). This handbook discusses multi-engine ground handling and states in part: Good habits learned with single-engine airplanes are directly applicable to multiengine airplanes for preflight and engine start. Upon placing the airplane in motion to taxi, the new multiengine pilot will notice several differences, however. The most obvious is the increased wingspan and the need for even greater vigilance while taxiing in close quarters. Ground handling may seem somewhat ponderous and the multiengine airplane will not be as nimble as the typical two- or four-place single-engine airplane. As always, use care not to ride the brakes by keeping engine power to a minimum. One ground handling advantage of the multiengine airplane over single engine airplanes is the differential power capability. Turning with an assist from differential power minimizes both the need for brakes during turns and the turning radius.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N553T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N553T-2020-09-04), registration cancelled 2020-09-04, S/N 290 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MITSUBISHI MU 2B-25 (26A)
- Registry model: [Mitsubishi MU-2B-25](https://openairdocs.org/model/mitsubishi-mu-2b-25) (registry code 5780409) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331-5&6SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-5-6ser) (registry code 01515, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 290
- Year built: 1974
- Airframe hours: 6520
- Engines: Garrett TPE331-6 725 horsepower turbo prop; Garrett TPE331-6 725 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 7CA2, Arvin, CA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: 7CA2, Paradise Lakes, runway 16, 2,700 × 60 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,000 total, 10 in this make and model, 1,990 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observed at: KBFL, 17 nm away

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 19, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93677. 9.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 8.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445512&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445513&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 238 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445514&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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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