Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 N157CA

Summary

On 18 April 2003 at about 09:25 local time, a Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 registered N157CA, operated by American Check Transport, was involved in an accident near Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 April 2003 at 09:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Nearest airport

Salt Lake City International (SLC)

Coordinates

40.7883, -111.9611

Aircraft

Mitsubishi MU-2B-60

Registration

N157CA

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

American Check Transport

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Salt Lake City → Englewood

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

DEN03LA075

Nobody was injured.

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

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.