# Accident 20260517009149A: Diamond Aircraft Ind Inc DA 40, Wells, NV, May 17, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 17, 2026, 10:30 local time
- Place: Wells, NV
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.9286° N, 115.1204° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9286&lon=-115.1204&mi=10
- Aircraft: N787PV, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N787PV) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 (registry code 2990002, https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da-40) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-360-M1A+ (registry code 41869, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-m1a-plus) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 40
- Reported engine: LYCOMING IO-360-M1A+
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 500 total, 198 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR26LA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA196) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260517009149A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

A DIAMOND DA 40 AIRCRAFT WAS EN ROUTE FROM LOVELAND, CO TO HAYWARD, CA OPERATING UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES WHEN THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN WELLS, NV TO REFUEL. UPON ATTEMPTING TO DO SO, HE STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO VISUALIZE THE RUNWAY DUE TO SNOWFALL COVERING THE AIRFIELD AND DIVERED TO ELKO, NV. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED MOUNTAIN WAVE TURBULANCE WHILE INBOUND TO THE ELKO, NV AIRPORT AND WAS FORCED TO LAND IN THE EAST HUMBOLT MOUNTAIN RANGE AT APPROXIMETLY 10,200 FEET MSL. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE INJURED HIS SHOULDER AND WAS SUCCESSFULLY RESCUED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AS THE EMPENNAGE WAS FRACTURED AND NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE AIRCRAFT. UPON DISCUSSING THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT WITH THE NTSB, THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD TAKEN THE ROUTE TO AVOID ENTERING IMC CONDITIONS. THE PILOT IS INSTRUMENT RATED BUT DID NOT LIST IF HE IS CURRENT, OR WHEN HIS LAST INSTRUMENT PROFICIENCY CHECK WAS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR26LA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA196), May 17, 2026: Diamond DA40 (N787PV), Wells, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inability to maintain climb performance and clearance from mountainous terrain due to a downdraft.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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