The aircraft was registered to Mitts Corp., of Gainseville, and was approaching Lorain County Airport in Elyria, Ohio, when it went down. It’s not clear what stage of flight it was in. On board and believed dead were two pilots and two passengers. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries issued a statement within hours of the crash, pointing out that it was the first fatal accident in almost four years for the aircraft.
A spate of accidents before that prompted the FAA to issue a Special Federal Air Regulation in 2008 mandating type-specific training for MU-2 pilots. The MU-2’s safety record was analyzed by the FAA in 2005 and found to be comparable to other twin-engine turboprops but its unique design requires different flying techniques, particularly in emergency situations. The MU-2’s flaps extend for the full length of the wing, and it doesn’t have ailerons. Roll control comes from highly effective spoilers.
