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I'd guess they were primarily corporate-owned but don't know for sure. They were built in San Angelo, TX (west texas), where I was stationed for a couple years (Goodfellow AFB) and where I initiated my pilot training -- through first solo before being transferred. Nice, nice turboprop twins, but they had a horrible accident rate, which is explained in the link provided.
The Air Force even flew them, for "special" purposes in Vegas. One of my classmates from UPT got one, they were innocuous unmarked aircraft. Refueling them took time and care, otherwise they could tip over onto one wing if the tip tanks were filled first. They used spoilers for roll control, one of the things that made them hot machines but also helped contribute to the higher accident rate.
Some certainly think so. When I was based in Colorado, there was an outfit that flew three MU-2's commercially. Their hangar was located across from mine. I knew a few of them a little bit. I lived near Centennial Airport where some of the accidents occurred at, or near, but was based at Front Range, as was the operator of the two that went down.
The MU-2 is an interesting design with a small wing, and spoilers used instead of ailerons. Although the data may not show it, they have a reputation for difficult handling with an engine out, and Vmc rollover.
Quote:
After 11 accidents in the past 18 months involving Mitsubishi MU-2 planes, including two fatal accidents near Centennial Airport, federal aviation officials are advising those flying the twin-engine turboprops to take special precautions.
Owners and operators of the plane “should strongly consider airplane-specific pilot and maintenance training for the MU-2,” the Federal Aviation Administration said in a notice sent Friday to those who fly or maintain the planes.
“It is especially important for airmen who do not fly the MU-2 exclusively to be aware that performance expectations and control techniques common in other turboprop twins do not necessarily transfer to flying the MU-2,” the FAA said. As a result, pilots should carefully review “recommended operating techniques before every flight.”
“Special attention should be paid to the engine-out procedures,” the FAA said, referring to techniques pilots should use if they lose engine power.
There are now new training procedures mandated which have seemed to alleviate the problem.
Quote:
A close look at most of the accidents across the MU-2s history will show that the vast majority of those accidents were not the fault of the airplane. Notwithstanding, the FAA did an exhaustive study of the MU-2 and its operation in 2005. The aircraft was given a clean bill of health, with many very positive comments about the MU-2 expressed by the FAA test pilots.
This study resulted in the issuance of an SFAR, which mandated standardized training programs for both in-airplane training and simulator-based training at SimCom in Orlando, Florida. Further, requirements were added that specified how often this training was given, and at what level every pilot entered their training rotation, which was based on their currency or past-pilot-in-command experience in the MU-2.
Training is mandatory on an annual basis. This SFAR took effect in February 2007 - however many MU-2 pilots got the jump on the training and completed the initial cycle long before the required date. I feel that this SFAR was the driving force behind the very low accident rate the MU-2 has experienced since 2006.
It was sad to loose those pilots. I didn't know them well, but well enough to say hi to, and they seemed like good guys. Kind of hits home when you know them.
You can tell an MU-2 a mile away.....engine idles at 90% rpm....made it a bit of a gas guzzler on a long taxi......they screamed on the ground and in the air too.....
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