# NTSB DEN03LA104: Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 20-A1, N630DA, Eureka, UT, June 13, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 13, 2003, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Eureka, UT - Coordinates: 39.838333, -112.300552 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8383&lon=-112.3006&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Salt Lake City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57211 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN03LA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57211/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA104 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper in-flight planning and failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors include high density altitude, hilly terrain, low airspeed and the subsequent inadvertent stall/mush. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - low (contributing factor) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) - weather condition - turbulence - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was maneuvering over the sand dunes between Eureka and Delta. The temperature was rising and it started getting "bumpy" so he elected to return to Provo. While flying over the mountains west of Eureka, approximately 1000 feet above ground level, his "controls became mush." The airplane began descending rapidly, at which time the pilot "put in full prop[eller] and power, pitch[ing] for 75 kts." It was apparent that the airplane would not clear the rising terrain, so the pilot reversed course towards the "canyon." The pilot stated the airspeed was "right above stall speed." Subsequently, the aircraft collided with the trees. The airplane's empennage was separated from the fuselage. ## Factual narrative On June 13, 2003, at 1000 mountain daylight time, a Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 20-A1, N630DA, was destroyed when it impacted terrain west of Eureka, Utah. The private pilot and his passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Provo, Utah, at 0815. According to the pilot, he was maneuvering over the sand dunes between Eureka and Delta. The temperature was rising and it started getting "bumpy" so he elected to return to Provo. While flying over the mountains west of Eureka, approximately 1,000 feet above ground level, his "controls became mush." The airplane began descending rapidly, at which time the pilot "put in full prop[eller] and power, pitch[ing] for 75 kts." It was apparent that the airplane would not clear the rising terrain so the pilot reversed course towards the "canyon." The pilot stated the airspeed was "right above stall speed." Subsequently, the airplane collided with the trees. The airplane's empennage was separated from the fuselage. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N630DA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N630DA-2004-12-01), registration cancelled 2004-12-01, S/N 10300, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 20-A1 - Registry model: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-A1](https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da20-a1) (registry code 2990000) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 10300 - Airframe hours: 2316 - Engines: Rotax 912F 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Nathan L. Bennett - Registered owner: Michael A Tevik - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 2003, 75 hours before - Departed: PVU, PROVO, UT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 23, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 179 total, 15 in this make and model, 134 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: PVU, 35 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 20030613011359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030613011359A), Jun 13, 2003: Diamon DA20A1, Little Sahara, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was in cruise flight on the east side of a range of mountains that ran north and south. Aircraft entered descending (leeward side) air, pilot… 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.