# NTSB ATL98LA006: Diamond Aircraft Industries DA20-A1, N534SS, West Palm Beach, FL, October 21, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 21, 1997, 12:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: West Palm Beach, FL - Coordinates: 26.670507, -80.060729 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6705&lon=-80.0607&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3942 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3942/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA006 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadvertent use of the wrong runway, and his improper decision to continue the approach behind a large airplane (MD-80), which resulted in a wake turbulence encounter, loss of aircraft control, and collision with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Vortex turbulence encountered, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - wrong runway - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - wake turbulence - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis According to the pilot of a small airplane (Diamond Aircraft Industries DA20-A1) he was cleared to land on 27R. While on final approach at about 200 feet, a large airplane (MD-80) passed close to him on the right. The controller warned the pilot of possible wake turbulence. The airplane then rolled and crashed into the ground. During an investigation, an FAA inspector stated (and air traffic control audio tapes confirmed) that the pilot had been cleared to land on runway 27L, and he had been advised that his traffic was an MD-80, landing on 27R. After being cleared to land on 27L, the airplane deviated towards runway 27R. The FAA inspector stated that air traffic controllers observed the nose of the airplane go up, then the airplane rolled left and impacted the ground in a left wing low and partially inverted attitude. ## Factual narrative On October 21, 1997, about 1220 eastern daylight time, a Diamond Aircraft Industries DA20-A1, N534SS, collided with the ground between runways 27L and 27R while on approach to the Palm Beach International Airport, West Palm Beach, Florida. The airplane was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Melbourne, Florida at 1100. The pilot stated that he passed over the airport and was told by air traffic control to expect 27R. After being vectored, he stated he was cleared to land on 27R. While on final approach at 200 feet, a MD-80 passed close to him on the right. The controller warned the pilot of possible wake turbulence. The airplane then rolled upside down and crashed into the ground. The FAA inspector stated, and air traffic control audio tapes confirmed, that the airplane was cleared to land on runway 27L, and given the traffic, an MD-80, landing on 27R. After being cleared to land on 27L, the airplane was observed deviating towards 27R. The FAA inspector stated that the air traffic controllers observed the nose of the airplane go up and then the airplane rolled left, impacting the ground left wing low and partially inverted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N534SS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N534SS-2000-06-01), registration cancelled 2000-06-01, S/N 10108 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Diamond Aircraft Industries DA20-A1 - Registry model: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-A1](https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da20-a1) (registry code 2990000) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 10108 - Airframe hours: 721 - Engines: Rotax 912F3 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Erik Richard Lindqvist - Registered owner: Mdfc Equipment Leasing Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, October 13, 1997, 31 hours before - Departed: MLB, MELBOURNE, FL - Airport: PBI, Palm Beach International, runway 27L, 7,989 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 80 total, 55 in this make and model, 31 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PBI, 1 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19971021030779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971021030779A), Oct 21, 1997: Diamon DA20A1, West Palm Beach, FL, Substantial damage. On final MD80 passed homebuilt. Landing on 27R. Wake rolled the DA20 upside down. Crashed. Had deviated into wake. (-23) 10/21/97, about 1220 local was cleared… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.