On February 12, 1988, a Mitsubishi MU-2B-35 (registration N339MA) operated by Epps Air was involved in an aviation accident near Philadelphia, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: either a hard landing or landing with excess fuel in the tip tank. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A Mitsubishi MU-2B-35 landed with damage to the left wing underside. Examination revealed a broken lower front wing spar and bent rear lower wing spar. Mitsubishi determined the damage likely resulted from a hard landing or landing with excess fuel in the tip tank, and that the aircraft had been flown several times with the damage.
Incident Details
A Mitsubishi MU-2B-35 aircraft landed and subsequent inspection revealed damage on the underside of the left wing. The damage was located midway between the engine and the tip tank, extending outboard to the tip tank. The pilot reported encountering turbulence while cruising at 250 knots. He stated that he reduced speed to 170 knots and later resumed a speed of 250 knots.
Examination Findings
Further examination of the wing structure disclosed a broken lower front wing spar and a bent rear lower wing spar. Representatives from Mitsubishi examined the wing and concluded that the damage was caused by either a hard landing or a landing with excess fuel in the tip tank. Additionally, Mitsubishi indicated that it was likely the aircraft had been flown on several occasions with the wing damage present.
Probable cause
either a hard landing or landing with excess fuel in the tip tank
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