Summary
On September 20, 2019, a Diamond DA20 (N212DX) was involved in an incident near Fort Wayne, IN. 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 pilot's improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and impact with a tree during an off-airport landing.
The pilot reported that, while on approach to land, the engine sputtered and had a complete loss of power. He retracted the flaps to extend the glide distance but was unable to make the runway. He then made an off-airport landing, on a service road between two buildings. Upon landing the airplane veered left and impacted a tree.
The pilot further reported that, while conducting the preflight inspection, the fuel was at the bottom of the 1/2 mark on the diamond wood dipstick and the gauge also reflected the fuel level. During the accident flight, he again checked the fuel gauge and noticed it was showing right above 1/4 tank.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, left wing and empennage.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA569. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N212DX.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and impact with a tree during an off-airport landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot reported that, while on approach to land, the engine sputtered and had a complete loss of power. He retracted the flaps to extend the glide distance but was unable to make the runway. He then made an off-airport landing, on a service road between two buildings. Upon landing the airplane veered left and impacted a tree.
The pilot further reported that, while conducting the preflight inspection, the fuel was at the bottom of the 1/2 mark on the diamond wood dipstick and the gauge also reflected the fuel level. During the accident flight, he again checked the fuel gauge and noticed it was showing right above 1/4 tank.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, left wing and empennage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The Federal Aviation Administrator inspector who examined the airplane reported that, in total only about 16 ounces of fuel was drained from the airplane fuel system and no fuel leaks were identified.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA569