# NTSB NYC83LA096: Mitsubishi MU-2B-26, N79AC, West Mifflin, PA, April 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1983, 21:17 local (Apr 15, 1983, 02:17 UTC)
- Place: West Mifflin, PA
- Coordinates: 40.360836, -79.899017 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3608&lon=-79.8990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35172
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35172/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA096

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear retraction - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE INCREASED THE POWER, AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE AIRSPEED, WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, TO COMPENSATE FOR STRONG WINDS AND TURBULENCE. THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM 150 DEG. AT 18 GUSTING 28 KTS. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT CROSSED OVER THE THRESHOLD OF RWY 10 AT AN AIRSPEED THAT WAS 30 KTS FASTER THAN NORMAL. THE PLT STATED THE ACFT LANDED HARD ON THE LEFT MAIN GEAR FIRST, THEN BEGAN TO LEAN TO THE LEFT. AT SOME POINT, THE LEFT PROPELLER HIT THE RWY AND SPARKS FLEW. THE PLT STATED THAT HE THEN PULLED UP THE ACFT, RETRACTED THE GEAR, SHUT DOWN BOTH ENGINES AND LANDED GEAR UP. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE TIPS OF THE LEFT PROPELLER HAD SHEARED OFF AND PENETRATED THE LEFT TIP TANK. ALSO, THE BELLY, GEAR DOORS AND LANDING GEAR WERE DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N79AC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MITSUBISHI MU-2B-26
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 338
- Airframe hours: 2287
- Engines: AIRESEARCH TPE-331 724 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Baskin & Sears
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1982, 87 hours before
- Departed: W07, FREDERICKSBURG, VA
- Destination: AGC, WEST MIFFLIN, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: AGC, Allegheny Company, runway 10, 6,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 800 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 18 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast

## 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 19830414023749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830414023749A), Apr 14, 1983: Mtsbsi MU2B26, West Mifflin, PA, Substantial damage. Left prop hit runway on hard landing. Pilot believed flat tire. Pulled up. Retracted gear and landed gear up.

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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