ST. JOSEPH, MO, USA
N312MA
MITSUBISHI MU-2B-25
AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT WAS CLEARED TO CLIMB TO 6000 FT MSL. WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH ABOUT 5000 FT, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE (BAM) AS THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER. THE LEFT ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN AND FEATHERED AND A LANDING WAS MADE WITH NO OTHER PROBLEMS. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE THIRD STAGE TURBINE WHEEL HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE. PORTIONS OF THE WHEEL, PROPELLED BY CENTRIFUGAL FORCE, EXITED THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE CASE AND PENETRATED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CABIN, RESULTING IN MINOR DAMAGE. THE FAILURE CREATED AN UNBALANCED CONDITION IN THE TURBINE SECTION WHICH ALLOWED AN ASYMMETERICAL LOAD TO BE APPLIED TO THE REAR MAIN BEARING SUPPORT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE BEARING SUPPORT FAILED, SEPARATED AND IMPACTED THE LEADING EDGE OF THE LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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