# NTSB ERA09LA239: Diamond DA20, N964CT, Shelbyville, TN, April 11, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 11, 2009, 17:20 local (22:20 UTC) - Place: Shelbyville, TN - Coordinates: 35.555557, -86.438888 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5556&lon=-86.4389&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report April 22, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Diamond Aircraft, FAA/FSDO, Teledyne Continental Motors - NTSB case key (mKey): 73640 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA239 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73640/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73640 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA239 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. ## 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 DA20-C1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2990001), [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. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot was practicing stop-and-go landings on runway 36 under the supervision of his flight instructor. Shortly after the fourth takeoff, a reduction in engine power was observed with the throttle in the full open position. The instructor took control of the airplane and attempted a left hand turn to land on runway 18. The engine did not regain full power and a forced landing was made on airport property, short of runway 18. The airplane collided with a drainage ditch during the landing and was substantially damaged. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any evidence of a pre-existing mechanical malfunction or failure. During a post-accident test run, the engine started normally and produced rated horsepower with no hesitation or interruption in power. ## Factual narrative On April 11, 2009, about 1720 central daylight time, a Diamond DA 20-C1, N964CT, was substantially damaged following a forced landing at Bomar Field (SYI), Shelbyville, Tennessee. The airplane was registered to Wings of Eagles LLC and operated by Wings of Eagles School of Flight. The commercial-rated flight instructor and one student sustained serious injuries. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight originated at Smyrna Airport (MQY), Smyrna, Tennessee, at 1630. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the flight instructor and his student were performing stop-and-go landings on runway 36 at SYI. After the fourth takeoff, at an altitude estimated to be about 300 to 500 feet above ground level (AGL), the engine lost power as if it were "throttled back." The instructor noted that the engine was operating at reduced power with the throttle in the full open position. The instructor took control of the airplane and initiated a left turn to attempt a landing on runway 18. The engine did not regain full power and a forced landing was made on airport property, short of runway 18. During the landing, the airplane collided with a drainage ditch and came to rest approximately 150 feet from the initial touchdown point. An initial examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane came to rest in a grass field in a 10-degree nose down attitude. The nose gear was collapsed and the engine was still attached to the firewall; however, the engine mount was bent to the left approximately 20 degrees. The propeller blades were broken off at the blade roots and there were rotational scoring marks on the ground near the wreckage. The empennage was severed at its midpoint. Continuity was established from the cockpit to the engine and flight controls. The airframe fuel screen and the fuel lines were free of obstructions. A sample of fuel was taken from the aircraft and tested with water-finding paste; no evidence of water was found. The electric fuel pump operated normally in the low and high positions. The maintenance fuel cutoff valve was correctly safety wired and in the ON position. The engine was shipped to the Teledyne Continental Motors facility, Mobile, Alabama, for examination and an engine test run. An FAA inspector provided oversight. The engine exhibited impact damage concentrated on the lower section. Soil was impacted into the external surfaces of the engine. After the external examination, it was determined that a test run could be attempted. The following parts were replaced or repaired prior to the run: exhaust tubes, ignition system harness, number 2 cylinder induction tube (repaired with tape), oil sump, and number 2 cylinder rocker cover and gasket. The engine was prepared for the run by installing thermocouples, pressure lines, and test pads for monitoring purposes. The engine startednormally on the first attempt. The engine was operated for a period of 20 minutes at various throttle settings including full open. Throughout the test run, the engine accelerated normally without hesitation, stumbling, or interruption in power and demonstrated the ability to produce rated horsepower. The certificated flight instructor held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single- and multi-engine engine land ratings. According to FAA records, the student did not possess any pilot ratings or a medical certificate. The 1656 weather observation for MQY, located 27 nautical miles north of the accident site, included the following: surface winds from 010 degrees at 6 knots, gusting to 15 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, scattered clouds at 4,700 feet, temperature 18 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 6 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.15 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N964CT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N964CT-2009-05-13), registration cancelled 2009-05-13, S/N C0114, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DIAMOND DA20 (C1) - Registry model: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1](https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da20-c1) (registry code 2990001) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-240 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-240-series) (registry code 17063, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CO114 - Airframe hours: 4104 - Engines: Continental IO-240 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Wings of Eagles School of Flight - Registered owner: Wings of Eagles LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 10, 2009, 51 hours before - Departed: MQY, Smyrna, TN - Destination: MQY, Smyrna, TN - Airport: SYI, Bomar Field-Shelbyville Muni, runway 18, 5,503 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 27; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 14, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 842 total, 500 in this make and model, 776 as pilot in command, 102 in the last 90 days - Student pilot; age 58; injuries: serious; seat: left; flight hours: 53 total, 53 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 6 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: MQY, 27 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 20090411005149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090411005149A), Apr 11, 2009: Diamon DA20C1, Shelbyville, TN, Substantial damage. (-23) The commercial-rated flight instructor and his student were performing stop-and-go landings from runway 36 at syi. After the fourth takeoff, at an… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73640. 14.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 688 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316886&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316887&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Reports from Parties to the Investigation - Continental Engine Test Report (item 3, .PDF, 12.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316888&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Parties%20to%20the%20Investigation%20-%20Continental%20Engine%20Test%20Report-Master.PDF - Reports from Parties to the Investigation - Diamond Aircraft Field Notes (item 4, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316889&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Parties%20to%20the%20Investigation%20-%20Diamond%20Aircraft%20Field%20Notes-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Initial Impact Area with Main Wreckage in Background (FAA Digital Photo) (item 5, .PDF, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316890&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Initial%20Impact%20Area%20with%20Main%20Wreckage%20in%20Background%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Main Wreckage, View from Front (FAA Digital Photo) (item 6, .PDF, 355 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316891&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Main%20Wreckage,%20View%20from%20Front%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Main Wreckage, View from Front (FAA Digital Photo) (item 7, .PDF, 344 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316892&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Main%20Wreckage,%20View%20from%20Front%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - Drainage Ditch Encountered During Landing Roll (FAA Digital Photo) (item 8, .PDF, 486 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316896&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Drainage%20Ditch%20Encountered%20During%20Landing%20Roll%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.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.