# NTSB ANC21LA018: Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, N680DS, Lanai, HI, February 26, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: February 26, 2021, 17:15, time zone not recorded
- Place: Lanai, HI
- Coordinates: 20.849569, -157.12654 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.8496&lon=-157.1265&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-IFR missed approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 102696
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102696/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA018

## Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-IFR missed approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the flight instructor, after conducting a practice instrument approach and a subsequent touch-and-go landing in the single-engine airplane, they executed the published missed approach procedure which included holding at a fix located about six miles offshore. Shortly after establishing the airplane in the hold the engine began to vibrate. In an effort to correct for the vibration, the flight instructor moved the mixture to the full rich position, but the engine vibration increased followed by a loud bang. A check of the multi-function display’s engine page revealed no exhaust gas temperature on the number 2-cylinder and a complete loss of oil pressure. The flight instructor then disengaged the autopilot and turned the airplane toward the shoreline. A “MAYDAY” call was transmitted to air traffic control (ATC) as the cockpit began to fill with smoke and oil became evident on the engine cowling. The fresh air window vents were opened in an effort to vacate the cockpit of smoke and ATC provided vectors to a nearby airport. During the emergency descent, while attempting to maintain best glide speed, they tried to restart the engine to no avail, and subsequently secured the airplane, donned their life preservers, and opened the airplane’s cockpit canopy. The flight instructor ditched the airplane in the ocean waters. During the ditching the empennage separated from the fuselage resulting in substantial damage. The airplane sank in the ocean waters and was not recovered or examined after the accident; therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N680DS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N680DS-2021-06-28), registration cancelled 2021-06-28, S/N 40.680, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 40
- Registry model: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40](https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da-40) (registry code 2990002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-M1A+](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-m1a-plus) (registry code 41869, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 40.680
- Year built: 2006
- Airframe hours: 8071.7
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-M1A+ 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: George'S Aviation Services Inc
- Registered owner: George'S Aviation Services Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 21, 2021
- Destination: PHNL, Honolulu, HI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Equipment: ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 34; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 7, 2019; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 969 total, 451 in this make and model, 881 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 3.7 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 2, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 220 total, 50 in this make and model, 77 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 27 knots, gusting 36
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: PHNY, 10 nm away

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.

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