Mitsubishi MU-2B-20 accident near Muskegon, Michigan, December 15, 1982
On December 15, 1982 at about 10:05 pm local time, a Mitsubishi MU-2B-20, registered N45EV, was substantially damaged in an accident near Muskegon, Michigan (Muskegon airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 4 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 15, 1982 · about 10:05 pm local time
- Place
- Muskegon, Michigan · Muskegon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 4 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mitsubishi MU-2B-20 · all MU-2B-20s on the register
- Registration
- N45EV · registry record · serial 211
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT DESCENDED BELOW HIS ALTITUDE AND STRUCK TREES APPROXIMATELY 4.7 MILES SOUTH OF HIS DESTINATION. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO FLY AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING. AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED DOWN THE RUNWAY FOR APPROXIMATELY 3000 FEET BEFORE DEPARTING THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,462 hours in all; 528 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 4,374 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 195 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 75 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 8,930 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Airesearch TPE-331-1-151 (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: C Morehead KY at 4:05 pm
- Destination: Holland MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 32, 5,001 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 030° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,500 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 102°F (39°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.