# NTSB CEN26LA166: Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42 NG, N311LH, Colorado Springs, CO, April 9, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 9, 2026, 09:18 local (15:18 UTC) - Place: Colorado Springs, CO - Coordinates: 38.819389, -104.71061 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8194&lon=-104.7106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 202827 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA166 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202827/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA166 ## Probable cause Maintenance personnel's installation of an oversized tire, which prevented the left main landing gear from extending resulting in a precautionary gear up landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: tire casing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023244): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023244/cases.md?model=2990105), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023244/cases.md) - [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md?model=2990105), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42 NG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2990105), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42 NG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=2990105), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the approach, the left main landing gear did not extend. The pilot attempted to cycle the landing gear and utilize the alternate landing gear extension system; however, the left main landing gear remained in the stowed position. The pilot chose to perform a gear up landing, which resulted in substantial damage to both engine mounts. The pilot reported that a postaccident examination revealed that the landing gear tires were incorrect part number and oversized by about 1 inch, and maintenance personnel changed the tires two days before the accident. Due to the oversized tire, the left main landing gear became wedged in the wheel well, which prevented the landing gear from extending. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N311LH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N311LH), registered now, S/N 42.036, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND GMBH DA 42 NG - Registry model: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42 NG](https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da-42-ng) (registry code 2990105) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Austro E4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/austro-e4-series) (registry code 06400, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 42.036 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 3903.7 - Engines: Austero E4 168 horsepower reciprocating; Austero E4 168 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 4, 2026 - Departed: LXV, Leadville, CO - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: COS, Colorado Springs, runway 13, 8,270 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 22, 2025; seat: left; flight hours: 4,946 total, 96 in this make and model, 4,723 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 124 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.08 inHg - Observed at: KCOS, 1 nm away - METAR: METAR KCOS 091654Z 00000KT 10SM FEW100 SCT160 SCT250 19/M06 A3008 RMK AO2 SLP125 T01941056= ## 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 20260409003429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260409003429A), Apr 9, 2026: Diamond Aircraft Ind Gmbh DA 42 NG, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. The aircraft had both the main landing gear tires and tubes removed and replaced. The removed tire part number was (D60-9032-17-2). The installed part number… 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.