There is nothing particularly unusual about a MU-2 wing. The airfoil is the
same as other aircraft that fly in the same speed range. The deice system
is virtually identical to other turboprops as well. The wings and tail have
boots inflated by bleed air, the engine inlets are heated with bleed air and
the windshields, pitot/static, props and oil cooler inlets are electrically
heated. There is an ice light that illuminates the leading edge of the
wing. The plane flys well in icing. Mitsubishi actually flew through
thunderstorms in NM to get severe icing data.

I am really interested in hearing the NTSB's conclusions on thePittsburg
accident.

Mike
MU-2


"Big John" wrote in message
...

Mike

All the accident pilots were commercial rated that I recall. Could
these be low time pilots trying to build time flying in a hot aircraft
that is difficult to fly safely in certain circumstances?

Could explain some of the accidents.

On Pittsfield, as I said, there was some icing reported/forecast in
the area. How does the MU2 fly with ice on the wings? They had some
commuter birds (at lest one around Chicago) that held in icing and
bird stalled with ice on wings and went in. How touchy is the MU2
airfoil?

This was a night flight. What do you have to see (or will tell ou) if
you have ice on the wings?

Fly safe and stay lucky.

Big John

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On Mon, 05 Apr 2004 23:49:48 GMT, "Mike Rapoport"
wrote:

I don't know any more than anybody else that wasn't there. The one that
crashed near Napa, CA apparently was a CFIT into the bay. I've never
flown
there but supposedly Napa is a "black hole" approach at night. Another
MU-2
was recently "landed" on the nose hard enough that it is "unrepairable".

There always ends up being a relatively simple explanation for all these
wrecks but it is surprising to see three in a couple weeks.

Mike
MU-2


"Big John" wrote in message
.. .
Pete

MU2 had a relatively limited production run not like the 150/152 which
has been built for ever and in the thousands.

MU2 is a relatively high performance turbo prop and not normally seen
as plane of the average GA pilot. You will find them in commercial
service of some kind.

Some general specs.

580 built (1963-1986) That's about 25 a year average during production
life.
About 500 on books in 2000.
300 mph normal cruise
7 passenger two pilot pressurized. (Some with big fuselage could carry
11 passengers)
Listed on market today for about $300,000.+/-

Accident in question, pilot had routine communication with ATC and 9
minutes later came out of clouds in flat spin and hit ground with no
forward movement.

There was some icing in clouds but may or may not have been at his
cruising altitude? Pitot and Stall heat were on. Rest of 'heat'
switches were off.

All of airframe was at crash site.

I posted as a jab at Mike (MU2) who stands up for the bird even with
these 'strange' type of accidents. Flying one, he may have some feed
back on this accident?

Hate to see these accidents both for crew and A/C (

Big John


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On Sat, 3 Apr 2004 13:26:33 -0800, "Peter Duniho"
wrote:

"Big John" wrote in message
.. .
[...]
As I said prior, if you keep breaking they will be all gone before
long.

What do you fly? Is it still in production? If not, how is it not
true
for
that type of aircraft that "if you keep breaking they will be all gone
before long"?

Even the Cessna 152 has a finite number in the fleet, and they
continue
to
be involved in accidents now and then. Eventually they will all be
gone
too.

What's your point? How is the MU2 any different from any other
aircraft
not
still in production?

Pete