Mitsubishi MU-2N accident near Sugarland, Texas, June 9, 1984
On June 9, 1984 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Mitsubishi MU-2N, registered N850MA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sugarland, Texas (Hull Field). It was an executive or corporate flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. 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
- June 9, 1984 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Sugarland, Texas · Hull Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mitsubishi MU-2N · all MU-2Ns on the register
- Registration
- N850MA · registry record · serial 690
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Executive or corporate flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE SHORT FLIGHT FROM HOBBY TO HULL AIRPORT WAS CONDUCTED IN VFR CONDITIONS. A VISUAL APPROACH WAS MADE TO RUNWAY 17 AT HULL AIRPORT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS HIGH ON THE APPROACH PATH WHEN HE TURNED TO THE FINAL APPROACH HEADING. HE REDUCED POWER TO DESCEND TO THE PROPER GLIDE PATH. THEN NOTICED THAT HIS RATE OF DESCENT OF ABOUT 900 FPM. POWER WAS ADDED TO CHECK THE DESCENT RATE. WHEN THE FLAPS WERE LOWERED FROM 20 DEGREES TO 40 DEGREES, ON SHORT FINAL, THE DESCENT RATE AGAIN INCREASED AND AGAIN PWR WAS ADDED AND THE NOSE RAISED TO SLOW THE DESCENT RATE. THE A/C TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 75 FT SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE A/C LANDING GEAR WAS DAMAGED BY THE RAILROAD TIES ON THE BANK OF A CANAL.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 654 hours in all; 19 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 597 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,058 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, March 15, 1984
- Maximum gross weight: 10,361 lb
- Seats: 10
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Airesearch PTE-331-5252M (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HOU Houston TX at 4:10 pm
- Destination: SGR Sugarland TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 4,540 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,300 ft; clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from HOU, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
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.