# NTSB LAX91FA280: Mitsubishi MU-2B-36A, N2CJ, Goleta, CA, June 29, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1991, 23:14 local (Jun 29, 1991, 06:14 UTC)
- Place: Goleta, CA
- Coordinates: 34.49987, -120.119293 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4999&lon=-120.1193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27009
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA280
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27009/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA280

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AFTER BECOMING SPATIALLY DISORIENTED.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  DARKNESS, LOW OVERCAST CLOUD CONDITION, THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONTINUE VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), WHICH RESULTED IN A NEAR COLLISION WITH ANOTHER AIRCRAFT, HIS SELF INDUCED PRESSURE AND DIVERSION OF ATTENTION, WHILE COPING WITH THE SITUATION THAT HE HAD ENCOUNTERED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Near collision between aircraft, approach
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - traffic advisory - issued, atc personnel(fss)
  - remedial action - initiated, pilot in command
  - electrical system,battery - overtemperature
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

AFTER DEPG SANTA MONICA AT NGT, MITSUBISHI MU-2 PLT CTCD TRACON FOR CLNC THRU TCA AT 6500'. TRACON TRIED TO GET AUTOMATED VFR HANDOFF TO ARTCC, BUT WAS UNABLE. RADAR SVC WAS TRMTD & PLT CTCD (NON-RADAR EQUIPPED) SANTA BARBARA FSS (HOME ARPT). HE WAS ADZ WX WAS 500' SCT, 2700' BKN, 4000' OVC, VIS 6 MI WITH FOG. PLT HAD NOT FILED FLT PLAN & BGN A VOR RWY 25 APCH WO OBTAINING CLNC. AS HE CONTD IBND, MU-2 DSCNDD THRU CLDS & CONVERGED WITH FAIRCHILD SA227 THAT WAS ON IFR APCH TO ARPT. ARTCC CTLR, WHO HAD BEEN CTLG SA227, ADZD FSS SPECIALIST OF SITUATION. PLTS OF BOTH ACFT WERE ADZD OF OTR ACFT'S PSN. MU-2 PLT DID NOT RESPOND WHEN ASKED IF HE WAS IN IMC. MU-2 PLT RPRTD 7 OR 8 MI OUT ON VOR APCH. HE WAS TOLD AGAIN OF SA227 ON FINAL APCH & TO PHONE ARTCC AFTER LNDG. NO FURTHER RDO CALLS WERE RCVD FM MU-2 PLT. RADAR DATA SHOWED MU-2 CONVERGED WI 400' OF SA227. PLT BGN LEFT TURN OVR SHORELINE AS IF TO CIRCLE FOR SPACING, BUT MU-2 ENTERED DSCNT & CRASHED IN OCEAN. EXAM OF LGT BULBS INDCD MASTER CAUTION & BATTERY OVR TEMP LGTS WERE ILLUMINATED DRG IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2CJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2CJ-1999-04-23), registration cancelled 1999-04-23, S/N 726SA (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MITSUBISHI MU-2B-36A
- Registry model: [Mitsubishi MU-2B-36A](https://openairdocs.org/model/mitsubishi-mu-2b-36a) (registry code 5780413) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 726SA
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-331 715 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dennis M Jones
- Registered owner: Jones Air Corporation
- Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA
- Destination: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA
- Airport: SBA, Santa Barbara, runway 25, 6,049 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,730 total, 230 in this make and model, 1,430 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,700 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observed at: SBA, 4 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 19910628025069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910628025069A), Jun 28, 1991: Mtsbsi MU2B36A, Santa Barbara, CA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. On VOR approach,no clearance,came through clouds close to airliner on IFR clearance. Stalled. Dived into ocean.

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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