An experienced pilot with multiple ratings lost control of his Mitsubishi MU-2 aircraft and crashed after a missed approach. Greg Feith, Todd Curtis and John Goglia look at the facts surrounding this incident that killed six.

ADS-B information broadcast by the plane shows a missed approach followed by an unusual second attempt. Rather than flying the published missed approach, air traffic controllers were directing the pilot to take a series of right turns for a second approach.
The pilot was taking several members of his family to a holiday celebration, so the pilot may have chosen to fly a non-standard missed approach because it would take less time than the published approach.

Greg shares firsthand experience and knowledge of the performance of MU-2 aircraft. Several years ago, he evaluated MU-2 models for safety issues and found that many previous accidents in these models were due to issues with the pilot, not the aircraft.

This aircraft was being flown by a single pilot in IFR conditions. Flying single-pilot IFR in actual IFR conditions is a challenge for any pilot under normal circumstances. Temperatures were just above freezing at neighboring airports and there was snow in the area at the time of the crash. Icing and the presence of five passengers and their baggage may have degraded the aircraft’s performance.
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The pilot’s familiarity with the destination may be a factor. A review of flight records showed this was the first time the aircraft had flown to this airport in the previous six months.

On June 14, 2024 Clifford G. Johnson was presented with the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award for 50 years of ‘Dedicated Technical Aircraft Maintenance Service and Safety’ by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the American Airlines Tech Ops Department at LaGuardia Airport.

Clifford Johnson was born and raised in Corona, Queens. At an early age, he enjoyed assembling model airplanes, cars, and warships. He got his first job working in an auto parts store, and while working in the machine shop, he enhanced his mechanical skills. He applied and was accepted into the Aviation High School’s Aircraft Maintenance Program, where he excelled and was awarded a mechanic’s toolbox at graduation. After passing the test for his Powerplant License, Clifford was accepted into the extended 12th-year program at the high school, where he obtained his Airframe License to complete his Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) requirements.

After Aviation High School, Clifford started working as a baggage handler for Trans World Airlines (TWA). A year later, he transferred to aircraft maintenance at JFK International Airport’s Hangar 12, where he was a technician and supervisor. He worked with TWA from 1973 to 2001.

Between 1981 and 1984, TWA awarded Clifford a position that required him to relocate to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he trained maintenance technicians at Saudi Arabian Airlines. In addition to training staff and performing routine and non-routine assignments, he supervised and directed the maintenance operations on the Boeing 707, 737, 747, and Lockheed L1011 aircraft.

Todd Curtis and John Goglia discuss a fatal air tour helicopter crash near New York City that killed all six people on board, including a family of five from Spain. They examine several witness videos plus ADS-S data in their analysis.

The crash happened on April 10, 2025, three days before this episode was recorded. The flight was apparently routine until the helicopter suddenly rotated and crashed. Pieces of the aircraft, including the tail boom and the rotor blades, separated from the aircraft before it crashed into the Hudson River.

Air tour operators are allowed to operate flights under Part 91 regulations, although the leasing company operated under Part 135 regulations that have a higher standard for inspections and maintenance.

The aircraft was over 20 years old and leased from a company in Louisiana. The NTSB will likely interview anyone from the two companies involved with maintaining the aircraft.
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Given the circumstances of the crash, maintenance issues may have caused the accident. In addition to live lives lost, leading to concerns about the mental health effects this may have on those who maintained the helicopter. John has experienced incidents where maintainers may have harmed themselves because of their role in maintenance-related accidents.

​On April 10, PAMA recognized its 2025 scholarship award recipients during the award ceremony at the Aerospace Maintenance Council Competition Awards in Atlanta, GA.

The award recipients are as follows:

• Antwon Thompson is currently a 4.0 student at the Aviation Institute of Maintenance in Houston. Antwon is pursuing a career as an aviation maintenance technician as he transitions from military to civilian life. His colleagues at a major airline note his ability to exceed expectations, communicate to the team clearly and lead with care. He has demonstrated his leadership through volunteer work with his community and fellow veterans. He is currently pursuing the Airframe and Powerplant (A&W) certification. Antwon believes this will allow him to apply his skills, refine his craft and contribute to maintaining the safety and reliability of aircraft systems. He is the recipient of the $1500 JSFirm.com Aviation Mechanic Student Award.

 

• Hyungyu Cho is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Maintenance at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He is dedicated to becoming an Avionics Line Maintenance Technician specializing in corporate aircraft. As a Simulator Technician at Embry-Riddle’s Advanced Flight Simulation Center, he has shown commitment to excellence as an advocate for safety. His recommendation letters share he approaches the acquisition of knowledge with a passion as evidence by his several credentials: the FAA A&P, FCC, NCATT AET & AEIT, and Satcom AeroIT. Hyungyu is the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship, courtesy of the Jack D. Prewitt Memorial Scholarship, provided by PistonPower™ .

 

• Justin Navarro is currently pursuing a Bachelors in Aviation through Liberty University, but previously obtain aircraft technician education at St. Phillips College. Justin’s passion for aviation started at a young age and has compelled him to pursue a career working on and flying aircraft. His dream of becoming an aircraft maintenance technician and commercial pilot is coming true as he holds a FAA Private Pilot Certificate as well as a Remote Pilot Certificate. His recommendation letters praise his passion for aviation history, maturity and willingness to learn. Justin is the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship, courtesy of the Jack D. Prewitt Memorial Scholarship, provided by PistonPower™ by AEPC™.

​Congratulations to all our award recipients and a thank you to our sponsors Piston Power, Inc and JSFirm.com.

Visit the scholarship page for more information on the application deadline for 2026, and to contribute to the PAMA scholarship fund.

🎶🔥 LIVE MUSIC ANNOUNCEMENT 🔥🎶
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South Texas PAMA is bringing the party this year with Marshland Ranch performing live at our Crawfish Bash!

If you didn’t know--Trey Louis from Marshland Ranch (yes, the guy from “The Fe” and American Idol) will be rocking the stage.

RSVP by Clicking here!!

Remember, this is a private event for aviation professionals and their families.
🎟️ Aviation Industry Only – Wristband Required
🌟 What: South Texas PAMA Crawfish Bash
📅 When: Saturday, May 3rd, 2025
🕚 Time: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm (All you can eat crawfish from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm)
📍 Where: Mainland City Centre, 10000 Emmett F Lowry Expy, Texas City, TX 77591
🎉 Free entry, food, drinks & fun for aviation members and their families.

Come hungry, come thirsty, and come ready to enjoy some amazing live Texas music!
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Let’s make this one to remember. See y’all there!

Inflight icing may have been a factor in the recent fatal crash of a TBM 700. Relying on publicly available ADS-B data and video from a nearby home, Todd Curtis, John Goglia, and Greg Feith discuss icing and other issues that may have affected the pilot and the aircraft.

The TBM 700, a single-engine turboprop aircraft, crashed outside of Minneapolis. The aircraft was expected to land at the Anoka County–Blaine Airport.

The pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, had departed from Naples, Florida, earlier that day and spent about 36 minutes on the ground at Des Moines, Iowa, before heading to the Minneapolis area. The length of the flight day may have affected the pilot as well as the quality of the information the pilot had about weather conditions.

The discussion analyzes the flight’s ADS-B data from the last leg of the flight, which shows that the aircraft was in a controlled descent heading for the intended runway. The aircraft entered a shallow left turn before departing from controlled flight and entering a high-angle descent before crashing into a nearby home.
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The high pilot workload during this phase of flight, the low visibility, and possible pilot fatigue or other physical conditions may have led to the pilot losing awareness of his air speed. Greg compares this event to the 1994 icing-related crash of an ATR 72 in Indiana and the SilkAir crash in Indonesia in 1997.

🎉✈️ Get Ready to Party at the South Texas PAMA Crawfish Bash! 🦞🎶

RSVP by clicking this link  for wristbands for yourself or your company ASAP! Because the countdown to the 3rd annual South Texas PAMA Crawfish Bash has officially begun! 📅 Only 32 days left until we kick off a day filled with aviation celebration, networking, and a whole lot of fun!
RSVP NOW!!!!

🎉 Who: FREE for all aviation professionals and families!
🌟 What: South Texas PAMA Crawfish Bash
📅 When: Saturday, May 3rd, 2025
🕚 Time: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm (All you can eat crawfish from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm)
📍 Where: Mainland City Centre, 10000 Emmett F Lowry Expy, Texas City, TX 77591

This year's event promises to be bigger and better than ever before! And guess what? It's absolutely FREE for all aviation professionals! 🙌✈️

Join us for:
🦞 South Texas PAMA’s award-winning crawfish
🍹 Complimentary drinks
🎵 Live music
🎉 Loads of fun, games, and networking opportunities

To secure the wristbands you need, RSVP HERE with the number of wristbands needed. Remember, wristbands must be picked up by Friday, May 2nd, at Galaxy FBO, 8912 Paul B. Koonce St. Houston, TX 77061.

Come together to celebrate our aviation community and make this bash one for the books! 🎉✈️ See you all there!