# NTSB CEN21FA252: Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, N853L, Darlington, IN, June 6, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report - Date: June 6, 2021, 10:20 local (14:20 UTC) - Place: Darlington, IN - Coordinates: 40.114244, -86.75415 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1142&lon=-86.7541&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Austrian Federal Safety Investigative authority, Lift Training Academy, FAA FSDO, TSB, Diamond Aircraft - NTSB case key (mKey): 103216 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21FA252 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103216/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103216 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA252 ## Probable cause A loss of control while practicing an aerodynamic stall, which resulted in a spin and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Experience/qualifications: total experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Flight crew; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 126 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Flight crew; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor and student pilot were conducting a training flight. automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast (ADS-B) and onboard data revealed heading, engine power, and altitude changes consistent with maneuvering. Just before the accident, the airplane entered a power-off stall from an altitude of about 4,000 ft mean sea level (msl). The right wing dropped, the pitch attitude decreased, and the airplane entered a descent consistent with a spin. Ground scars and the orientation of the wreckage were consistent with an impact with terrain in a slight right-wing-low, nose-down attitude. The wreckage was highly fragmented with scattered debris that extended for about 75 yards. There were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Review of engine data indicated nominal engine performance before the accident. The airplane was not approved for spin maneuvers; however, the airplane’s flight manual provided a recovery procedure in the event of an unintentional spin. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with an inadvertent spin and loss of control while practicing an aerodynamic stall. Because the airplane was not approved for intentional spins, it is unlikely that the flight instructor had ever experienced a spin in the accident airplane make/model and was therefore likely unfamiliar with its spin and recovery characteristics. ## Factual narrative On June 6, 2021, about 1020 eastern daylight time, a Diamond Aircraft DA 40 NG airplane, N853L, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Darlington, Indiana. The pilot and flight instructor were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 141 instructional flight. A review of automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast (ADS-B) data revealed that the airplane departed and flew northwest about 4,000 ft mean sea level (msl). At the time of the accident, the flight was not in radio contact with air traffic control. A witness heard the airplane, looked up, and saw it in a “nose down, left spin” before it disappeared behind a tree line. He added that it sounded like the propeller was at a high rpm before impact. Ground scars and the orientation of the wreckage were consistent with an impact in a slight right-wing-low, nose-down attitude. The main wreckage was oriented on a heading of about 037°. The wreckage was highly fragmented with scattered debris that extended about 75 yards. All major components of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site. A slight odor of fuel was present, along with fuel blight on vegetation along the debris path. Control continuity was established for all flight controls; separations were consistent with overload or impact damage. A data card was removed from the flight display and the engine’s electronic engine control unit (EECU), which was damaged in the accident, was also secured for later examination. The EECU was shipped to the engine manufacturer for data download. The exam noted no preimpact abnormalities that would affect engine operation. The engine was running normally and appeared to respond to the power lever requests. A review of the airplane’s Garmin G1000 data revealed several turns and engine power and altitude changes, consistent with airplane maneuvering. The data revealed that the airplane was about 4,000 ft msl when engine power was reduced; as the airspeed decreased, the airplane’s pitch attitude increased. The airplane’s pitch then decreased to a nose-down attitude, and the airplane made a right, spiraling turn consistent with a stall and spin entry. The flight instructor was a graduate of the flight school’s training academy and had earned her flight certificate on March 30, 2021. She had about 329 total hours of flight experience and 44 hours as a flight instructor. The student pilot had about 16 total hours of flight experience. The airplane was not approved for spins. The aircraft flight manual noted the following procedure for recovery from an unintentional spin (see figure). Figure. Flight manual excerpt ## Aircraft - Registration: [N853L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N853L-2022-06-10), registration cancelled 2022-06-10, S/N 40.NC055, built 2019 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 40 NG - Registry model: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG](https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da-40-ng) (registry code 2990014) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Austro E4-A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/austro-e4-a) (registry code 06402, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 40.NC055 - Year built: 2019 - Airframe hours: 1432.5 - Engines: Austro E4-A reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Lift Training Academy - Registered owner: Lift Aircraft LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 2021 - Departed: KIND, Indianapolis, IN - Airport: N/A - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 28; injuries: fatal; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 329 total, 312.2 in this make and model, 251.9 as pilot in command, 79.3 in the last 90 days, 51.6 in the last 30 days, 1.7 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 21; injuries: fatal; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 16 total, 16 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1.7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KCFJ - METAR: KCFJ 061415Z AUTO 18010KT 10SM SCT045 SCT090 24/17 A3005 RMK AO2 T0238017 ## 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 20210606003809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210606003809A), Jun 6, 2021: Diamond Aircraft Ind Inc DA 40 NG, Darlington, IN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. On June 6th 2021, at 1020 EST, N853L, a Diamond DA-40 operated by [privacy data omitted], departed the indianapolis international airport on a pre-solo… ## Docket (14 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 28, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103216. 107 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 728 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13047420&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness email (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 133 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12826229&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20email_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (excerpts) (item 3, PDF, 21 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13048606&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Mx%20records_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12826048&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Party%20Form%20lift_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Weight and balance approximation (item 5, PDF, 5 pages, 295 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12826470&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=W%20%26%20B%20approximation-Rel.pdf - Photo (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12832081&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201-Rel.pdf - G1000 flight data video via flight ahoy (ouo) (item 7, MOV, 92.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12832278&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=IMG_1301-Rel.MOV - Toxicological report (item 8, PDF, 2 pages, 894 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12836161&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Tox%20reports_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Field exam (item 9, PDF, 3 pages, 737 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13042947&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Field%20exam-Rel.pdf - Engine control unit - specialist's factual report_CEN21FA252 (item 10, PDF, 7 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12905367&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Control%20Unit%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report_CEN21FA252-Rel.pdf - Attachment 1 to engine control unit - specialist's factual report -- tabular data (item 11, CSV, 465 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12906092&FileExtension=csv&FileName=Attachment%201%20to%20Engine%20Control%20Unit%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report%20--%20Tabular%20Data-Rel.csv - Attachment 2 to engine control unit - specialist's factual report -- inspection report (item 12, PDF, 19 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12905776&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Attachment%202%20to%20Engine%20Control%20Unit%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report%20--%20Inspection%20Report-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 13, PDF, 1 page, 362 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13044483&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=wreckage%20release_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Aircraft flight manual (excerpts) (item 14, PDF, 3 pages, 943 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12827273&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=AFM%20(excerpts)-Rel.pdf 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.