Mitsubishi MU-2B-60, Millington, Tenn., Dec. 9, 2008–Just after takeoff on a Part 91 positioning flight from Millington Regional Jetport (NQA) in rain, the pilot noticed a loss of power from the right engine and feathered the propeller. He then told ATC he was returning to NQA.
As the MU-2 turned back to the airport it encountered wind shear, the rain became heavy and the pilot reported that he could hold altitude only between 1,000 and 1,400 feet due to turbulence. On approach the MU-2 was approximately five knots above the normal landing speed of 100 knots. The airplane landed hard two-thirds of the way down Runway 22, buckling the nose gear and collapsing the left wing. The turboprop twin then veered off the left side of the runway and crossed a taxiway before striking the airport perimeter fence. The ATP-rated pilot suffered minor injuries.
Examination of the engines by Honeywell under FAA supervision showed no preexisting condition in either engine that would have interfered with normal operation. According to an on-scene report, heavy rain and thunderstorms were present at the time of the accident and the OAT was 12 degrees C. The pilot reported that before takeoff he was issued two ground holds of 15 minutes each to allow storm cells to pass.