On December 15, 1982, a Mitsubishi MU-2B-20 (registration N45EV) operated by Elzinga & Volicers was involved in an aviation accident near Muskegon, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain altitude during descent, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot descended below his assigned altitude and struck trees approximately 4.7 miles south of the destination airport. The aircraft remained airworthy, allowing the pilot to execute an emergency landing on a nearby runway.
What happened
The pilot was operating the flight when he inadvertently descended below his assigned altitude. While approaching the destination, the aircraft impacted trees located approximately 4.7 miles south of the airport. Despite the collision with the terrain, the aircraft did not suffer catastrophic failure and remained controllable.
Recognizing the situation, the pilot elected to make an emergency landing at the nearest available runway. Upon touchdown, the aircraft skidded down the pavement for a distance of approximately 3000 feet. The aircraft eventually departed the right side of the runway during this deceleration phase.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain altitude during descent, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees.