Summary
On September 19, 2015, a Diamond Aircraft Ind INC DA 20 C1 (N635DC) was involved in an incident near Sanford, NC. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The student pilots failure to maintain a climb after takeoff, which resulted in an impact with terrain.
The student pilot reported that during a solo soft field takeoff the tail of the airplane impacted the ground. He lowered the nose, and as the airspeed increased initiated rotation After liftoff, the airplane drifted to the left of the runway, descended, and impacted the bottom of a ditch. The airplane came to a stop in a ramp parking area.
The student pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA15CA272. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N635DC.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The student pilots failure to maintain a climb after takeoff, which resulted in an impact with terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The student pilot reported that during a solo soft field takeoff the tail of the airplane impacted the ground. He lowered the nose, and as the airspeed increased initiated rotation After liftoff, the airplane drifted to the left of the runway, descended, and impacted the bottom of a ditch. The airplane came to a stop in a ramp parking area.
The student pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA15CA272