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NTSB Report

April 18, 2003 · Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 · N157CA

Salt Lake City, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 18, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Salt Lake City, UT
Aircraft
Mitsubishi MU-2B-60
Tail Number
N157CA
Operator
American Check Transport
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN03LA075

Visibility was greater than 6 miles, but was restricted due to moderate to heavy rain as the pilot started his takeoff roll on runway 35. Near rotation speed, he felt a tire blow out followed by some hydroplaning. He aborted the takeoff and taxied back to the ramp. Airplane inspection revealed substantial damage to the left engine and cowling, propeller, and landing gear. In addition, the pressure vessel was breached. The pilot surmised that he had aligned the airplane with the left side runway edge lights instead of the centerline lights. He attributed this to his "vision being partially obstructed by moderate rain." Postaccident examination revealed 15 to 20 runway lights were either damaged or destroyed.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot improperly aligning the airplane on the runway for takeoff. Contributing factors were the reduced visibility due to rain, and the dark night.

Full Narrative

On April 18, 2003, at 0325 mountain daylight time, a Mitsubishi MU-2B-60, N157CA, operated by American Check Transport, d/b/a Flight Line, Inc., of Denver, Colorado, was substantially damaged when it collided with runway edge lights during takeoff at Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City, Utah. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR flight plan had been filed for the nonscheduled domestic cargo flight operating as ACT flight 900 under Title 14 CFR Part 135. The flight was originating at the time of the accident, and its destination was Centennial Airport, Englewood, Colorado. The following is based on the accident report submitted by the pilot-in-command. "The visibility was greater than 6 miles, but was restricted due to moderate to heavy rain," he wrote. He was cleared for takeoff on runway 35 and he "lined up on centerline for a northbound departure." At near rotation speed (95 knots), he felt a tire blow out. There was some hydroplaning, so he aborted the takeoff and taxied back to the ramp. Airplane inspection revealed substantial damage to the left engine and cowling, propeller, and landing gear. In addition, the pressure vessel was breached. The pilot surmised that he had aligned the airplane with the left side runway edge lights instead of the centerline lights. He attributed this to his "vision being partially obstructed by moderate rain." Postaccident examination revealed 15 to 20 runway lights were either damaged or destroyed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time03:25 MDT
Nearest AirportSalt Lake City International (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length9596 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMitsubishi MU-2B-60
Tail NumberN157CA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAmerican Check Transport
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett · TPE 331-10 · Turboprop · 715
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind210° @ 3 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingOvercast 2200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 37 C
Altimeter29.76 inHg
Observation Time08:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data