# NTSB NYC83FA078: Mitsubishi MU-2B-60, N473MA, North Adams, MA, March 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1983, 11:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: North Adams, MA
- Location: 42.6756° N, 73.1181° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of North Adams, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6756&lon=-73.1181&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35033
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35033/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA078

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT 1145 THE PLT REPORTED VFR CONDITIONS & REQUESTED RADAR VECTORS TO THE ARPT. HE WAS ISSUED A CRUISE CLEARANCE OF 5,000 FT & GIVEN A HEADING. 18 MI FROM THE ARPT HE REPORTED VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE GROUND. AT 1151 HE WAS ASKED IF HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE AREA TO WHICH HE RESPONDED NEGATIVE. HE WAS THEN ADVISED OF RISING TERRAIN IN ALL QUADRANTS, INCLUDING A MOUNTAIN '...TO ALMOST 3700 FEET, 3 MILES SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT.' AT 1154 THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ARPT WAS LESS THAN A MILE AT 12 O'CLOCK. THE ACFT IMPACTED A MOUNTAIN 2 MI SOUTH OF THE ARPT AT ABOUT 2,700 FT MSL. A WITNESSDESCRIBED THE SKY CONDITIONS AS A LOW CEILING WITH CLOUDS OBSCURING THE MOUNTAIN PEAKS. THE ARPT IS UNCONTROLLED & HAS NO PUBLISHED INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N473MA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MITSUBISHI MU-2B-60
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1547 SA
- Engines: AIRESEARCH TPE-331-10 940 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Petroquimica Dominicana Cxa
- Registered owner: Aircraft Marketing Intl., Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, January 5, 1983, 0 hours before
- Departed: TEB, TETERBORO, NJ
- Destination: 2B6, NORTH ADAMS, MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 2B6, Harriman-West

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 11,450 total, 9,900 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALB, 28 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 19830318008659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830318008659A), Mar 18, 1983: Mtsbsi MU2B60, North Adams, MA, Destroyed. Flew into a cloud obscured mountain on a visual approach from a cruise clearance. Pilots disregarded terrain warning

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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