Preliminary Reports: MU-2 Strikes Fence on Runway Excursion

Mitsubishi MU-2B-26A, Princeton, Ky., April 3, 2010–The Part 91 personal IFR flight ended with the turboprop twin substantially damaged, when the pilot was unable to maintain directional control on landing rollout at Princeton-Caldwell County Airport. The pilot told investigators that as the airplane began to veer to the right side of the runway toward a ditch he added full power in an attempt to fly over it. The aircraft collided with a fence and then slid into the ditch, inflicting damage on the wings and fuselage. The pilot, who suffered minor injuries, said he thought a blown tire might have caused the deviation, but inspection of the tires revealed no signs of deflation.