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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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January 28, 1983 · Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 · N440MA

Scottsdale, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 28, 1983
Injury Outcomes
7 injuries (6 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Scottsdale, AZ
Aircraft
Mitsubishi MU-2B-60
Tail Number
N440MA
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX83FA083

THE ACFT DIVERTED FROM SCOTTSDALE AZ TO A FLT COURSE TO SEDONA BECAUSE OF THUNDERSTORMS & HIGH WINDS AT SCOTTSDALE, BUT AFTER A RADIO CONVERSATION WITH SCOTTSDALE TWR, THE PLT DECIDED TO REROUTE TO LAND AT SCOTTSDALE. THE PLT DID NOT READ BACK THE WEATHER CORRECTLY TO SCOTTSDALE TWR. AFTER DESCENDING IN RAIN AND TURBULENCE, THE PLT REPORTED TO SCOTTSDALE AT1857 THAT 'WE THINK WE HAVE THE ARPT AT NINE O'CLOCK.' THE PLT WAS CLEARED TO MAKE A VISUAL APPROACH TO RWY 21. THE TWR NEVER ESTABLISHED VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE ACFT & WAS UNABLE TO MAKE FURTHER RADIO CONTACT THE LAST RECORDED RADAR CONTACT SHOWED THE ACFT AT 2200 FT DESCENDING, 2 MILES FROM SCOTTSDALE ON A BEARING OF 075 DEGREES. THE ACFT CONTACTED THE GROUND LEFT WING & NOSE LOW IN A LANDING CONFIGURATION ON A HEADING OF ABOUT 300 DEGREES. THE ACFT SLID ABOUT 770 FT, LOSING THE ENGINES, WINGS & LANDING GEAR BEFORE STOPPING. A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE SHOWED NO SIGNS OF PRE-IMPACT CONDITIONS THAT WOULD HAVE AFFECTED NORMAL OPERATIONS.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT DIVERTED FROM SCOTTSDALE AZ TO A FLT COURSE TO SEDONA BECAUSE OF THUNDERSTORMS & HIGH WINDS AT SCOTTSDALE, BUT AFTER A RADIO CONVERSATION WITH SCOTTSDALE TWR, THE PLT DECIDED TO REROUTE TO LAND AT SCOTTSDALE. THE PLT DID NOT READ BACK THE WEATHER CORRECTLY TO SCOTTSDALE TWR. AFTER DESCENDING IN RAIN AND TURBULENCE, THE PLT REPORTED TO SCOTTSDALE AT1857 THAT 'WE THINK WE HAVE THE ARPT AT NINE O'CLOCK.' THE PLT WAS CLEARED TO MAKE A VISUAL APPROACH TO RWY 21. THE TWR NEVER ESTABLISHED VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE ACFT & WAS UNABLE TO MAKE FURTHER RADIO CONTACT THE LAST RECORDED RADAR CONTACT SHOWED THE ACFT AT 2200 FT DESCENDING, 2 MILES FROM SCOTTSDALE ON A BEARING OF 075 DEGREES. THE ACFT CONTACTED THE GROUND LEFT WING & NOSE LOW IN A LANDING CONFIGURATION ON A HEADING OF ABOUT 300 DEGREES. THE ACFT SLID ABOUT 770 FT, LOSING THE ENGINES, WINGS & LANDING GEAR BEFORE STOPPING. A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE SHOWED NO SIGNS OF PRE-IMPACT CONDITIONS THAT WOULD HAVE AFFECTED NORMAL OPERATIONS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:59 MST
Nearest Airport2nm ENE
Runway21
Runway Length4800 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMitsubishi MU-2B-60
Tail NumberN440MA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett · TPE33110501M · Turboprop · 940
Seats9

People & Injuries

Injury Summary7 injuries (6 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal6
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total7
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind280° @ 20 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:36
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data