Mitsubishi MU-2B-26A accident near Princeton, Kentucky, April 3, 2010
On April 3, 2010 at about 6:30 pm local time, a Mitsubishi MU-2B-26A, registered N29WD, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Princeton, Kentucky (Princeton-Caldwell County Airp airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll for undetermined reasons, resulting in a runway excursion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 3, 2010 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Princeton, Kentucky · Princeton-Caldwell County Airp · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mitsubishi MU-2B-26A · all MU-2B-26As on the register
- Registration
- N29WD · registry record · serial 355 S.A.
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, after landing on the centerline about 800 feet beyond the runway threshold, the airplane veered sharply to the right and exited the right side of the runway. Observation of the windsock by the pilot during final approach showed negligible wind. After exiting the runway, the pilot added full power in an attempt to fly over a ditch and collided with a fence. Examination of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed tire marks approximately 400 feet down the runway from the initial touchdown point and the marks continued approximately 1,500 feet off of the right side of the runway through grass until the airplane collided with the fence. After the accident, the pilot reported that he believed something caused the power to drop or the propeller changed pitch on the right engine which resulted in the sharp veer to the right. A postaccident examination of all landing gear linkages, engine power, and propeller controls did not reveal anomalies other than impact damage. Flight control continuity was established through all flight controls to their respective control surfaces, and no other mechanical anomalies were noted. No physical evidence was found to conclusively determine the reason for excursion.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during landing (landing roll)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,000 hours in all; 700 in this make and model; 37 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 3,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 31, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,151 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 13, 2009; 100 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 10,400 lb
- Seats: 9
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Garrett TPE 331 (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Garrett TPE 331 (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Operator: Whiskey Delta LLC
The flight
- Departed from: RIL Rifle CO at 2:10 pm
- Destination: 2M0 Princeton KY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 23, 4,099 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 6:55 pm from HOP, 32 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA10LA204.