Another MU-2 Down in Florida

[CD]

Another MU-2 Down in Florida
Mon, 04 Sep '06

Infamous High Performance Plane In The News Again

In a depressingly familiar story, another Mitsubishi MU-2 twin- turboprop has gone down in Florida killing its pilot. Friday's crash follows the loss of the same type aircraft less than a week earlier in the state, where a Michigan couple died.

The aircraft was on a flight from Tulsa, OK to Panama City, FL and ended near the panhandle town of DeFuniak Springs. The pilot has not yet been identified.

The MU-2, a plane reviled by critics but adored by the pilots and owners who use them, is a high performance twin turboprop aircraft that has become popular because of its relatively low price and operating costs. The plane is used frequently in air cargo operations, particularly bank check transfers, and is also often flown single-pilot by individual owners. It has been subject to a very detailed FAA analysis that mandates that pilots be made aware of its unusual flying characteristics as well as specific training in icing awareness.

The plane is particularly unpopular in Colorado where two accidents occurred in quick succession last winter. The plane was subject to an intensive media investigation by local media. Their conclusion, supported by an aviation professor, was that since the airplane uses spoilers instead of ailerons for roll control, that the airplane was essentially uncontrollable if it lost an engine at high gross weight and low speed. About 10% of all MU-2s have crashed since being introduced from Japan in the mid-60s.

aero-news.net

[Pilot_adam]

. About 10% of all MU-2s have crashed since being introduced from Japan in the mid-60s.

aero-news.net

Now that is scary !!!...

[ei ei owe]

About 10% of all MU-2s

So what does that mean? Give or take a few %age points? So really it could be 7-13%?

Respect is what it needs by the sounds of it.

[Hedley]

Heh. I'll bet if someone looked at the Pitts fleet, probably closer to 30% have been involved in a serious accident. Does that make it a bad airplane? On the contrary, it performs superbly - in the right hands.

However, like the MU-2, it is unforgiving when flown by "hamburger" pilots - untrained and/or unskilled. Most modern aircraft are so superbly designed, they will forgive a multitude of mistakes on behalf of a ham-fisted pilot who gets behind the aircraft.

The Pitts, the MU-2 and the F-104 pointedly do not. I'd love an MU-2. I'm hoping it's our next utility aircraft, when we sell the C421 (another great "reviled" aircraft, which performs poorly when flown by "hamburger" pilots).

[CD]

Crash prompts FAA to implement mandatory training

PANAMA CITY — Earle Martin didn’t like his plane being referred to as a “Widowmaker.”

Martin has been flying the Mitsubishi MU-2 for 17 years, the same kind of aircraft that crashed Friday, killing Panama City pilot Hardy “Buddy” Head.

“The MU-2 is a very safe airplane,” Martin said.

Twin-engine airplanes like the MU-2 are sometimes referred to as Widowmakers because inexperience pilots can be fatally unprepared for the aircraft’s performance abilities. But the Federal Aviation Administration will soon implement a mandatory training program for MU-2 pilots, said Scott Sobel, a Mitsubishi company spokesman.

Martin and Sobel flew to Panama City on Saturday together and disseminate information. Sobel said there have been three MU-2 crashes in the last few months. Two people were killed in August near Ormond Beach when their MU-2 crashed.

Despite that, he said, the plane is considered one of the safest of its kind, but its use as a cargo hauler contributes to the number of crashes seen in the last few years. Sobel said cargo pilots have a tendency to fly when they’re tired — at night or in bad weather.

Sobel said Head was an experienced pilot who had ample experience with the MU-2. Head’s family said he used to train pilots in MU-2s for Mitsubishi and was very familiar with the aircraft.

Alexus Purdy, one of Head’s daughters, said Saturday that her family is convinced the crash was not her father’s fault. “None of us believe it is,” she said.

Sobel didn’t offer any information about Head’s crash, saying the agencies investigating the incident would be responsible for that.

But Sobel did say that the FAA was planning to implement a training program for MU-2 pilots.

“We’ve seen overseas, when these training programs go into effect, the accident rates plummet,” he said.

Martin said he goes through a refresher course once a year, despite the hours he puts in at the wheel of a MU-2. Flight simulators will be used in the training, which is important because many of the problems pilots have with the aircraft are with its speed.

The MU-2 is a high-performance plane with twin propeller-driven engines. Sobel said because of its ability to haul cargo it’s sometimes treated like a truck.

“It should be treated like the pet Porsche,” he said.

Martin said things happen faster in the MU-2. Pilots, he said, have to learn to “think ahead” of the aircraft and be comfortable with its speed and climbing ability.

“Because of its high-performance,” Martin said, “it’s critical that things be done properly.”

Pilots who are unfamiliar with the aircraft can get into trouble quickly. Martin said that’s why the mandatory training program, which was brought about by “pressure from the manufacturer,” is so important.

Head’s plane crashed Friday morning five miles southeast of DeFuniak Springs in Walton County. Head was returning to the Panama City-Bay County International Airport from Tulsa, Okla., in a “loaner” plane he was using while his regular MU-2 was in for service.

Witnesses said the plane appeared to spiral down into a wooded area. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board were investigating.

According to statistics compiled by Robert E. Breiling and Associates, there were 473 MU-2s in use worldwide in 2005. Between 2001-2005, there were 24 accidents, 14 with fatalities, involving the MU-2. That ranked the aircraft in the middle of the pack for planes of its kind.

Friday’s crash was the second involving a Mitsubishi MU-2 in Florida in a week, according to The Associated Press. A Michigan couple died Aug. 26 when their MU-2 crashed about five miles northwest of Ormond Beach. Weather could have been a factor in that crash since heavy rain was reported over most of the county at the time, officials said.

Federal officials are investigating whether Friday’s crash was weather-related. Witnesses said it was raining at the time of the crash.

[Mike Falk]

This topic is like the training bond/paying for PPC's.
BEATEN TO DEATH


Is the aircraft safe, yes in the right hands
Is a meat slicer safe, yes but in the right hands(I know from experience. those F$ckers are sharp.)

you put someone unqualified into any aircraft and they will eventually have an accident.

[RatherBeFlying]

the airplane was essentially uncontrollable if it lost an engine at high gross weight and low speed

below VMC as with any twin except C-337s etc.

[flyinhigh]

C-337's are not real twins though either.

[Strega]

C-337's are not real twins though either.

I guess that other engine on the back that is controlled by the second throttle is not really an engine..

Perhaps it is just a "pretend" engine that doesnt count..

PEOPLE THE 337 is a MULTI ENGINE AIRCRAFT!! period!

[bandit1]

sure it's a multi engine but when you lose one you don't need no skills to keep it flying straight.

If it was a real twin, there wouldn't be the gay rating called centerline thrust

anyway, if flying a suck n blow makes you feel cool, by all means, keep it up!

[Strega]

sure it's a multi engine but when you lose one you don't need no skills to keep it flying straight.

If it was a real twin, there wouldn't be the gay rating called centerline thrust

anyway, if flying a suck n blow makes you feel cool, by all means, keep it up!

couldnt of said it better myself..

[Spokes]

I always thought that the second engine in the mixmaster was just there to take you to the crash site if you lost one.

Hmmm

[Flying Low]

From what I have heard so far...both recent MU-2 crashes are as a result of flying into thunderstorms. In one case the pilot was vectored by ATC into the storm. Here is a great example of a clearance you should refuse. It is amazing that I have to say that out loud.

The radar trace on one (not sure if it is the same one) showed the pilot enter the storm at 28000 feet and a minute later pop out at 8000 feet. The aircraft came apart as the pilot pulled up after exiting the storm cell. Testing has shown that the tail will fail at around 13G and the wings at around 15G (I can not remember the exact test numbers but these are close). Most fighter jets, although strong, still require an over-G inspection if you exceed around 9G or so.

For those of you who think this is an airplane design problem I suggest you fly any other airplane into the same environment and see how many different parts come out the other side. Even the most green private pilot knows to stay away from storm cells. If you are going to fly in this kind of environment make sure you can use the radar effectively. Again, all stuff that applies to any airplane, not just the MU-2.

[greykin2]

Heh. I'll bet if someone looked at the Pitts fleet, probably closer to 30% have been involved in a serious accident. Does that make it a bad airplane? On the contrary, it performs superbly - in the right hands.

However, like the MU-2, it is unforgiving when flown by "hamburger" pilots - untrained and/or unskilled. Most modern aircraft are so superbly designed, they will forgive a multitude of mistakes on behalf of a ham-fisted pilot who gets behind the aircraft.

The Pitts, the MU-2 and the F-104 pointedly do not. I'd love an MU-2. I'm hoping it's our next utility aircraft, when we sell the C421 (another great "reviled" aircraft, which performs poorly when flown by "hamburger" pilots).

Doubtful that the MU-2 is routinely being flown in a manner as aggressive as many Pitts flights. Apples and oranges to compare the two planes. I think the point that is lost on most of you is that the MU-2 is a lot less forgiving than the average twin turboprop. What percentage of the King Air fleet has crashed since it's introduction at around the same time as the MU-2? Certainly not 10%.

[CD]

Barrick pilot killed in crash of small plane: Taking off from runway on his own property

NATIONAL POST
David George-Cosh
09/06/2006

The chief pilot of Barrick Gold Corporation, who has logged more than 20,000 hours in the air, died when the small plane he was piloting crashed north of Toronto on Monday night.

Lloyd Simms, 57, was piloting his personal Pitts Special aerobatic biplane when he crashed into a field shortly after taking off from a homemade runway on his property in Melancthon Township.

Emergency officials responded to a call at 8 p.m. and put out flames caused by the wreckage. Mr. Simms was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after.

Mr. Simms was alone in the aircraft and no other people were reported to be injured.

OPP officers and two investigators from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada remained at the scene yesterday to determine the cause of the accident.

Barrick Gold spokesman Vince Borg said "Brother Lloyd," as he was referred to in the office, was a passionate employee who had been with the company since 1990 and was revered by his colleagues for his skill and professionalism.

Mr. Borg said Mr. Simms' role as director of flight operations for Barrick involved piloting all corporate and company aircraft at the company's gold sites around the world, training new pilots and drafting company aviation safety policies.

"He was warm, generous, extremely funny and approached every challenge he met with extreme dedication. He served Barrick very well," Mr. Borg said.

"Regardless of the plane he was flying, you had total confidence in Lloyd's ability as a pilot."

Mr. Simms' wife, Darlene, said her husband not only flew for a living, but he lived to fly.

"He didn't get paid to fly, he always said. He got paid to wait," Ms. Simms said. "To say he had a passion for flying is really an understatement."

An autopsy was conducted yesterday in Toronto.

Toronto-based Barrick Gold is the largest gold miner in Canada, mining more than eight million ounces of gold per year.

[Hedley]

the pilot was vectored by ATC into the storm

You must remember that ATC may not see primary returns. All they see is a great big empty hole on their screens where they'd love to put some aircraft.

I've had ATC get very angry at me for refusing to fly into Cb's. Oh well. All you can do is try to tell them early, hey, I can go 10 degrees left or 30 degrees right, your choice. Don't wait until it fills the windscreen before you pipe up.

[Hedley]

The Wx info on our radar is total crap

I know. Pity. I suspect some pilots think you see more primary returns than you really do. I honestly don't know why you don't get more primary - isn't that a pretty obvious safety issue?

The only reason I can see ATC getting worked up is if you do in fact wait until the last minute to request a deviation

Indeed. On occasion, when the Cbs are widespread, and a complete re-routing around the affected area is required, I really enjoy calling up ATC and saying, "I have a revised routing for you. Advise when ready to copy"

[Babel Fish]

C-337's are not real twins though either.

I guess that other engine on the back that is controlled by the second throttle is not really an engine..

Perhaps it is just a "pretend" engine that doesnt count..

PEOPLE THE 337 is a MULTI ENGINE AIRCRAFT!! period!

Looks like tcck is suffering from "Little Plane Syndrome"

[jetway]

Doubtful that the MU-2 is routinely being flown in a manner as aggressive as many Pitts flights. Apples and oranges to compare the two planes. I think the point that is lost on most of you is that the MU-2 is a lot less forgiving than the average twin turboprop. What percentage of the King Air fleet has crashed since it's introduction at around the same time as the MU-2? Certainly not 10%.

Well, I'm not sure what the actual percentage of fleet this equals out to, but here are the stats for the King Air fleet versus MU-2 versus (eghad!) the trusty Navajo :
2004 US "cabin class" stats: MU-2 accidents: 7 fatalaties 6
King Air series: accidents: 16 fatalaties 20
Navajo PA-31 series: accidents: 16 fatalaties 22
Difference is the MU-2 killed an American Senator - no doubt caused quite a stir. Once Again, I am not reporting percentage of fleet. Just recall, there are no "safe" airplanes, just well trained pilots, and, well, a bit of Luck, sometimes.

[Lommer]

Ok, using the production numbers from airliners.net, and assuming that every accident listed above constitutes a hull-loss accident, here are some maths...

MU2: >800 built --> 0.875% of the fleet lost in accidents
Ho: 2044 built --> 0.783% of the fleet lost in accidents
KA: >4849 built --> 0.330% of the fleet lost in accidents

Note: for the King Airs I used production numbers for 90s, 100s, 200s, 300s, and 350s and just added them up. Also, for the MU2 and some King Air variants, a precise production number wasn't available, it was just listed as greater than. Also note that these are the stats for one year (2004) and that the hull-loss assumption is a big one. So really, these numbers can't be taken as accurate at all; just more shit on the internet

[Mike Falk]

Stats from my training manual.







Sorry that it is not more current, it was made up a couple years back but you can get the jist of it.
For aircraft, yes the MU-2 has accidents but so does well everything else. However if you look at the falatity rates, over the years the MU-2 is actually pretty damn good.

Now again, if you are trained properly none of this will/should happen.

Oh but if these stats are accurate, STAY AWAY FROM THE MERLIN

[YVR Dude]

There is a really good article in the latest issue of WINGS magazine on this very subject...worth the read!