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October 12, 1986 · Mitsubishi MU-2B-20 · N3MU
Denver, CO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 12, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Denver, CO
Aircraft
Mitsubishi MU-2B-20
Tail Number
N3MU
Operator
Gene Gartke
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN87FA003
ACFT HAD BEEN REPOSSESSED AND WAS BEING FERRIED FROM GRAND JUNCTION, CO, TO CHICAGO, IL, WITH EN ROUTE STOP AT DENVER, CO. AFTER TAKEOFF FROM DENVER, LANDING GEAR WOULD NOT RETRACT. PLT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WITHOUT SUCCESS. HE ELECTED TO RETURN TO DENVER. PLT SAID THAT ON FINAL APCH THE RIGHT ENG BEGAN SURGING AND THE LEFT ENG WOULD NOT INCREASE PWR. ACFT MADE HARD LANDING ON RWY, BREAKING LEFT WING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED BOTH SPEED LEVERS WOULD NOT FUNCTION BECAUSE ENG PROP GOVERNORS AND UNDERSPEED FUEL GOVERNOR RESET ARMS, SPLINED ONTO UNDERSPEED FUEL GOVERNOR SHAFTS, WERE POSITIONED ON OPPOSITE SIDE OF SPEED LEVER ACTUATING ARMS. LANDING GEAR FUNCTIONED NORMALLY DURING SWING TESTS. IT WAS LATER LEARNED THAT RIGHT MAIN TIRE HAD BLOWN ON TAKEOFF 3 DAYS EARLIER AND REQUIRED REPAIR. MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL OPENED THE LANDING GEAR CIRCUIT BREAKERS TO PRECLUDE INADVERTENT GEAR RETRACTION. PLT SAID HE CHECKED CIRCUIT BREAKERS WHEN GEAR FAILED TO RETRACT.
Full Narrative
ACFT HAD BEEN REPOSSESSED AND WAS BEING FERRIED FROM GRAND JUNCTION, CO, TO CHICAGO, IL, WITH EN ROUTE STOP AT DENVER, CO. AFTER TAKEOFF FROM DENVER, LANDING GEAR WOULD NOT RETRACT. PLT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WITHOUT SUCCESS. HE ELECTED TO RETURN TO DENVER. PLT SAID THAT ON FINAL APCH THE RIGHT ENG BEGAN SURGING AND THE LEFT ENG WOULD NOT INCREASE PWR. ACFT MADE HARD LANDING ON RWY, BREAKING LEFT WING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED BOTH SPEED LEVERS WOULD NOT FUNCTION BECAUSE ENG PROP GOVERNORS AND UNDERSPEED FUEL GOVERNOR RESET ARMS, SPLINED ONTO UNDERSPEED FUEL GOVERNOR SHAFTS, WERE POSITIONED ON OPPOSITE SIDE OF SPEED LEVER ACTUATING ARMS. LANDING GEAR FUNCTIONED NORMALLY DURING SWING TESTS. IT WAS LATER LEARNED THAT RIGHT MAIN TIRE HAD BLOWN ON TAKEOFF 3 DAYS EARLIER AND REQUIRED REPAIR. MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL OPENED THE LANDING GEAR CIRCUIT BREAKERS TO PRECLUDE INADVERTENT GEAR RETRACTION. PLT SAID HE CHECKED CIRCUIT BREAKERS WHEN GEAR FAILED TO RETRACT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:51 MDT
Nearest AirportStapleton Int'L (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length10004 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMitsubishi MU-2B-20
Tail NumberN3MU
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGene Gartke
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett · TPE331-1-151A · Turboprop · 665
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point32 C / 18 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:51
Weather SourceWFAC