Summary
On March 21, 2008, a Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 20-C1 (N954DA) was involved in an incident near Pueblo, CO. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The failure of the student pilot, and then the flight instructor to maintain aircraft control during the landing. Contributing factors were the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, and the crosswind conditions.
According to the flight instructor and student pilot, they were landing the airplane on runway 26L. Prior to the initial approach, the tower reported the wind was from 280 degrees at 22 knots. During the final approach, the airplane encountered gusty crosswind conditions. Approximately 15 to 20 feet above ground level with the student pilot at the airplane controls, the airplane nose was 20 degrees to the right and the wings were level. At that time, the flight instructor took over control of the airplane and applied control inputs to correct for the crosswind. The airplane continued to the right and descended "with no response to my inputs." The instructor then applied full power and attempted a go-around.
This incident is documented in NTSB report DEN08CA067. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N954DA.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the failure of the student pilot, and then the flight instructor to maintain aircraft control during the landing. Contributing factors were the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, and the crosswind conditions.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the flight instructor and student pilot, they were landing the airplane on runway 26L. Prior to the initial approach, the tower reported the wind was from 280 degrees at 22 knots. During the final approach, the airplane encountered gusty crosswind conditions. Approximately 15 to 20 feet above ground level with the student pilot at the airplane controls, the airplane nose was 20 degrees to the right and the wings were level. At that time, the flight instructor took over control of the airplane and applied control inputs to correct for the crosswind. The airplane continued to the right and descended "with no response to my inputs." The instructor then applied full power and attempted a go-around. The airplane "lightly" touched down on the runway, however, continued to the right side of the runway surface and contacted rising terrain. Subsequently, the left main landing gear separated and the airplane came to rest upright off the runway. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The left wing composite structure was fractured in several areas near the main landing gear attach points. No anomalies were noted with the airframe and engine.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DEN08CA067