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April 12, 2025 · Mitsubishi MU-2B-40 · N635TA

Copake, NY

Overview

Report Status
Factual report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 12, 2025
Injury Outcomes
6 injuries (6 fatalities)
Location
Copake, NY
Aircraft
Mitsubishi MU-2B-40 (1985)
Tail Number
N635TA
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
WPR25MA128

On April 12, 2025, about 1203 eastern daylight time, a Mitsubishi MU-2B-40, N635TA, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Copake, New York. The pilot and five passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A review of preliminary ADS-B data and archived voice communication information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) showed that the airplane departed Westchester County Airport (HPN), White Plains, New York, about 1134, and flew on a northeast to northern track towards their planned destination of Columbia County Airport (1B1), Hudson, New York. The data showed that the airplane reached a maximum cruise altitude of about 16,000 ft mean sea level (msl). At 1148:48, the Boston Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) controller cleared the pilot to descend to 6,000 ft msl. The pilot acknowledged and advised the controller that he had the weather for 1B1 and requested the RNAV (GPS) approach to runway 3. The controller advised the pilot to cross PUCBY (initial approach fix), at or above 4,000 ft msl and cleared him for the approach. At 1157:52, the pilot advised the controller that he was on a missed approach and when queried by the controller about his intentions, he responded that he would take vectors for another approach. The controller instructed the pilot to climb and maintain 4,000 ft msl. At 1159:08, the pilot was instructed by the controller to turn right to a heading of 100°. About 1 minute later, the controller instructed the pilot to continue the right turn to a heading of 140° and expect direct PUCBY in about five miles, to which the pilot acknowledged. At 1202:40, the controller instructed the pilot to cross PUCBY at 4,000 ft msl and cleared him for the RNAV (GPS) Runway 3 approach at 1B1, which the pilot acknowledged. About 1 minute later, the controller advised the pilot of a low altitude alert, and to check his altitude immediately, with no response from the pilot. Despite the controller’s multiple attempts, no further radio transmissions were received from the pilot. About 1203:55, the controller advised the pilot that radar contact was lost. ADS-B data showed the airplane was about 2,450 ft msl and a groundspeed of about 107 knots when the missed approach was initiated. The airplane continued on a northerly heading for several seconds while the groundspeed had decreased to about 91 knots. The data then showed that the airplane began a right climbing turn, and throughout the turn, the groundspeed increased, to a maximum of about 144 knots. The airplane leveled off at an altitude of about 3,800 ft msl and a groundspeed of about 139 knots. Throughout the following 2 1/2 minutes, the airplane maintained an altitude between about 3,800 ft and 3,975 ft msl with a groundspeed fluctuating between about 139-189 knots. At 1202:22, the airplane began a right turn to the southwest. About 34 seconds later, the airplane began a descent. The last data point showed the airplane at 2,150 ft msl, with a groundspeed of 118 knots (see figure 1). Figure 1: Final 2 minutes of ADS-B data. Recorded security camera video showed there was a low overcast cloud layer present at the time of the accident. The airplane was observed in the video descending from the cloud layer in a steep descent until it impacted terrain. The sound of the engines could be heard throughout the recording. The National Weather Service did not have any significant meteorological advisories (SIGMETs) or convective SIGMETS or center weather advisories (CWA) current over the region surrounding the accident site. The National Weather Service did have several AIRMETs current for IFR and mountain obscuration conditions, low-level wind shear (LLWS) and occasional moderate icing conditions from about 1,500 ft to 17,000 ft msl over the region. Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted snow covered terrain on a magnetic heading of about 290° in a nose down attitude about 500 ft north from the last ADS-B target. Fragments of the airplane were scattered throughout a radius of about 150 ft surrounding the main wreckage. All major components of the airplane were contained within the wreckage debris area. The fuselage was mostly fragmented and separated into multiple sections. The vertical stabilizer, rudder, horizontal stabilizers and elevators, were partially attached to the empennage. The empennage remained partially attached to the fuselage. Both wings were attached to the fuselage and were buckled throughout their span. The wreckage was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.

Full Narrative

On April 12, 2025, about 1203 eastern daylight time, a Mitsubishi MU-2B-40, N635TA, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Copake, New York. The pilot and five passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A review of preliminary ADS-B data and archived voice communication information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) showed that the airplane departed Westchester County Airport (HPN), White Plains, New York, about 1134, and flew on a northeast to northern track towards their planned destination of Columbia County Airport (1B1), Hudson, New York. The data showed that the airplane reached a maximum cruise altitude of about 16,000 ft mean sea level (msl). At 1148:48, the Boston Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) controller cleared the pilot to descend to 6,000 ft msl. The pilot acknowledged and advised the controller that he had the weather for 1B1 and requested the RNAV (GPS) approach to runway 3. The controller advised the pilot to cross PUCBY (initial approach fix), at or above 4,000 ft msl and cleared him for the approach. At 1157:52, the pilot advised the controller that he was on a missed approach and when queried by the controller about his intentions, he responded that he would take vectors for another approach. The controller instructed the pilot to climb and maintain 4,000 ft msl. At 1159:08, the pilot was instructed by the controller to turn right to a heading of 100°. About 1 minute later, the controller instructed the pilot to continue the right turn to a heading of 140° and expect direct PUCBY in about five miles, to which the pilot acknowledged. At 1202:40, the controller instructed the pilot to cross PUCBY at 4,000 ft msl and cleared him for the RNAV (GPS) Runway 3 approach at 1B1, which the pilot acknowledged. About 1 minute later, the controller advised the pilot of a low altitude alert, and to check his altitude immediately, with no response from the pilot. Despite the controller’s multiple attempts, no further radio transmissions were received from the pilot. About 1203:55, the controller advised the pilot that radar contact was lost. ADS-B data showed the airplane was about 2,450 ft msl and a groundspeed of about 107 knots when the missed approach was initiated. The airplane continued on a northerly heading for several seconds while the groundspeed had decreased to about 91 knots. The data then showed that the airplane began a right climbing turn, and throughout the turn, the groundspeed increased, to a maximum of about 144 knots. The airplane leveled off at an altitude of about 3,800 ft msl and a groundspeed of about 139 knots. Throughout the following 2 1/2 minutes, the airplane maintained an altitude between about 3,800 ft and 3,975 ft msl with a groundspeed fluctuating between about 139-189 knots. At 1202:22, the airplane began a right turn to the southwest. About 34 seconds later, the airplane began a descent. The last data point showed the airplane at 2,150 ft msl, with a groundspeed of 118 knots (see figure 1). Figure 1: Final 2 minutes of ADS-B data. Recorded security camera video showed there was a low overcast cloud layer present at the time of the accident. The airplane was observed in the video descending from the cloud layer in a steep descent until it impacted terrain. The sound of the engines could be heard throughout the recording. The National Weather Service did not have any significant meteorological advisories (SIGMETs) or convective SIGMETS or center weather advisories (CWA) current over the region surrounding the accident site. The National Weather Service did have several AIRMETs current for IFR and mountain obscuration conditions, low-level wind shear (LLWS) and occasional moderate icing conditions from about 1,500 ft to 17,000 ft msl over the region. Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted snow covered terrain on a magnetic heading of about 290° in a nose down attitude about 500 ft north from the last ADS-B target. Fragments of the airplane were scattered throughout a radius of about 150 ft surrounding the main wreckage. All major components of the airplane were contained within the wreckage debris area. The fuselage was mostly fragmented and separated into multiple sections. The vertical stabilizer, rudder, horizontal stabilizers and elevators, were partially attached to the empennage. The empennage remained partially attached to the fuselage. Both wings were attached to the fuselage and were buckled throughout their span. The wreckage was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:03 EDT
Nearest AirportColumbia County Airport (9nm SE)
RunwayRWY3
Runway Length5350 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMitsubishi MU-2B-40
Tail NumberN635TA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary6 injuries (6 fatalities)
Fatal6
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total6

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 6 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point37 F / 36 F
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time12:02
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data