Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 accident near Englewood, CO
On December 11, 2004, a Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Englewood, CO. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- December 11, 2004
- Place
- Englewood, CO
- Aircraft
- Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 39.546°N, 104.843°W
- NTSB ID
- 20041221X02013
Official records · DEN05FA034
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Controller Statements: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
- Satellite Image with Radar/Communications (MHIA): Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
- ATC Report and Transcript: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 10, 2004, approximately 1940 mountain standard time, a Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 twin-engine turbo-prop airplane, N538EA, operated as American Check 900 (ACT 900), was destroyed when it impacted terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering near Centennial Airport (APA), Englewood, Colorado. The airplane was registered to and operated by Flight Line, Inc., Watkins, Colorado. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The unscheduled domestic cargo flight was being operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 135 under an instrument flight rules flight plan. The airline transport pilot and pilot-rated passenger sustained fatal injuries. The flight departed APA at 1936, and was en route to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), Salt Lake City, Utah. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Centennial Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) transcripts and Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) radar data, at 1929:27, the local controller cleared ACT 900 to taxi to runway 35R, and the pilot acknowledged the instruction. At 1933:09, the pilot informed the local controller they were ready for takeoff at the end of the runway. At 1935:05, the controller instructed ACT 900 to "full length runway three five right position and hold..." At 1936:04, the controller cleared ACT 900 for takeoff on runway 35R, and the pilot acknowledged the takeoff clearance. At 1936:56, the controller instructed ACT 900 to turn left to a heading of 280 degrees, and the pilot acknowledged the instruction. At 1937:02,
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain minimum controllable airspeed during the night visual approach resulting in a loss of control and uncontrolled descent into terrain. A contributing factor was the precautionary shutdown of the left engine for undetermined reasons.
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Browse: Colorado · Mitsubishi aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
