Mitsubishi MU-2B-30 N108SC
25 June 1992 · Alamagordo, New Mexico, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 25 June 1992 at about 05:25 local time, a Mitsubishi MU-2B-30 registered N108SC, operated by William G. Whitehead, was involved in an accident near Alamagordo, New Mexico, United States. 6 people were on board and 6 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 05:25
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Alamagordo, New Mexico, United States
- Coordinates
- 32.8406, -106.0794
- Aircraft
- Mitsubishi MU-2B-30
- Registration
- N108SC
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- William G. Whitehead
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Unknown → Burnet
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Night/Dark
- NTSB number
- DEN92FA064
People
6 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO EXERCISE ADEQUATE VFR DEPARTURE TERRAIN AVOIDANCE PROCEDURES, AND THE FAILURE OF THE CONTROLLER TO ISSUE A SAFETY ALERT TO THE PILOT. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA, THE DARK NIGHT, AND THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE FLT HAD DEPARTED THE ALAMAGORDO WHITE SANDS REGIONAL ARPT AFTER A FUEL STOP. THE PILOT HAD EARLIER INDICATED TO ATC THAT HE WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE AREA. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE AT 2321 THE PILOT WAS INFORMED THAT DEPARTURE RADAR WAS OUT OF SERVICE. THE FLT DEPARTED WITH A VFR DEPARTURE. AT 2324 THE PILOT WAS ADVISED THAT RADAR WAS BACK IN SERVICE, AND CONFIRMED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLIMBING THRU 5,300 FT. DISCUSSION ENSUED BETWEEN THE PILOT AND CONTROLLER CONCERNING TERRAIN CLEARANCE. AT 2324 THE PILOT INDICATED HE WAS TURNING LEFT DUE TO NOT BEING SURE IF A HILL WAS IN HIS PATH. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A MOUNTAIN AT 6,100 FT MSL, 1,500 FT BELOW THE SUMMIT. THE MINIMUM VECTORING ALTITUDE IN THE AREA WAS 11,000 FT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Mitsubishi MU-2B accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Jul 1992 | Mitsubishi MU-2B-40 | Concord, New Hampshire, United States | Richard R. Hough | Fatal | 2 |
| 21 Nov 1992 | Mitsubishi MU-2B-25 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | Wayne C. Muhler | No injuries | - |
| 11 Sep 1992 | Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 | Greenwood, Indiana, United States | Solar Sources Inc. | Fatal | 6 |
| 5 Mar 1992 | Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 | New Castle, Colorado, United States | Neece, S.r./Geesbreght, J.m. | Fatal | 6 |
| 6 Jan 1993 | Mitsubishi MU-2B-35 | Nome, Alaska, United States | Bering Air, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 6 Apr 1993 | Mitsubishi MU-2B-35 | Casper, Wyoming, United States | Casper Air Service | Fatal | 4 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Jan 1992 | Cessna 172N | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | Thomas Kuehn | No injuries | - |
| 25 Jan 1992 | Beechcraft A36 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | Loren Kula, ET al | Minor injuries | - |
| 7 Mar 1992 | Bellanca 17-30A | Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States | TIM L. Alton | No injuries | - |
| 1 Mar 1992 | Thorpe T-18 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | Gordon Hall | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jul 1992 | Raven S-60A | Pecos, New Mexico, United States | Bond, Wayne & Chapel, Sally P. | Serious injuries | - |
| 25 Aug 1992 | Cessna 172F | Folsom, New Mexico, United States | Sheppard AFB Aero Club | No injuries | - |