Summary
On October 12, 2015, a Diamond DA20-C1 (N165DC) was involved in an incident near Waskom, TX. 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 pilot's decision to operate the airplane without the owner’s permission and his lack of preflight planning, which resulted a total loss of engine power due fuel exhaustion.
October 12, 2015, at 0349 central daylight time, the pilot of a Diamond DA20-C1, made a night forced landing after the engine lost power near Waskom, Texas. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered a private individual and was being operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Marshall (ASL), Texas, had flown to Shreveport, Louisiana, and was en route back to ASLThe pilot told air traffic controllers that the engine had lost power, and that he did not think he would be able to glide to the airport in Marshall.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN16LA018. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N165DC.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's decision to operate the airplane without the owner’s permission and his lack of preflight planning, which resulted a total loss of engine power due fuel exhaustion.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
October 12, 2015, at 0349 central daylight time, the pilot of a Diamond DA20-C1, made a night forced landing after the engine lost power near Waskom, Texas. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered a private individual and was being operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Marshall (ASL), Texas, had flown to Shreveport, Louisiana, and was en route back to ASLThe pilot told air traffic controllers that the engine had lost power, and that he did not think he would be able to glide to the airport in Marshall. He also said it was dark and he could not see anything below him. The pilot made a forced landing about 6.9 miles east of ASL.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors examined the airplane and reported finding no fuel in the fuel tanks. The pilot, however, was adamant that he had fuel on board. The airplane reportedly had been taken without the owner's permission. The pilot was placed under arrest.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN16LA018