MU-2 Maker Cooperating With FAA In Investigation

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries says it's cooperating with the FAA in its safety evaluation of the MU-2.

MHIA takes safety very seriously, said Noel Takayama, General Manager of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc., Aircraft Product Support Division. The company has invested millions of dollars to promote the safe operation of the MU-2. In recent years, MHIA supported SimCom in the development of an all-new MU-2 training program with new Level 5 flight simulator training devices. MHIA also sponsored the biennial MU-2 safety seminars, Pilot's Review of Proficiency (PROP), and developed an icing training video to educate pilots about safe wintertime operations.

To further assist the FAA, MHIA said it is working with an independent objective observer, Greg Feith, a former NTSB investigator. Feith is a 20-year veteran with the NTSB who retired as a Senior Air Safety Investigator. Greg Feith is currently an aviation safety and security analyst, a professor at Embry Riddle University, as well as an instructor at the NTSB accident investigation school. His experience includes investigating over 20 major accidents and countless other airline and general aviation events. Feith is well recognized in government and industry as a very thorough investigator who produces "high quality" work.

Takayama noted that MHIA is asking Feith to present a safety seminar for MU-2 owner/operators. He indicated that the National Business Aviation Association Annual Meeting & Convention might be an excellent time to host a gathering of MU-2 owner/operators in order to present this seminar.

MHIA Aircraft Product Support Division provides ongoing product support including parts, publications, service engineering, etc. for over 400 MU-2 aircraft in service outside of Japan. Approximately 350 MU-2 aircraft are operating in North America.

FMI: www.mitsubishitoday.com