# NTSB ERA13CA389: Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, N447JP, Blairsville, GA, August 30, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 30, 2013, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Blairsville, GA - Coordinates: 34.812221, -83.806663 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8122&lon=-83.8067&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 19, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87925 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA389 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87925/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA389 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into deteriorating weather, which resulted in an encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent inability to maintain clearance with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: obscuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035030/cases.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035030/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) (defining event); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was at 6,500 feet mean sea level (msl) when he encountered a dark cloud. The pilot decided to descend to 4,500 msl through a “hole” in the clouds and when he “popped” out of the cloud he realized he was going to impact trees. He pulled back on the yoke and the airplane subsequently impacted trees and terrain. A postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the left wing and empennage had separated from the airplane post-impact. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would preclude normal operations. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he was at 6,500 feet mean sea level (msl) when he encountered a dark cloud. The pilot decided to descend to 4,500 msl through a “hole” in the clouds and when he “popped” out of the cloud he realized he was going to impact trees. He pulled back on the yoke and the airplane subsequently impacted trees and terrain. A postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the left wing and empennage had separated from the airplane post-impact. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would preclude normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N447JP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N447JP-2021-03-06), registration cancelled 2021-03-06, S/N 40.347, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 40 - Registry model: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40](https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da-40) (registry code 2990002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 40.347 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 1247 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Glm Advisory LLC - Registered owner: Glm Advisory LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 2013, 40 hours before - Departed: JZI, CHARLESTON, SC - Destination: RHP, ANDREWS, NC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 4, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 355 total, 291 in this make and model, 304 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KRHP, 19 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 20130830025309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130830025309A), Aug 30, 2013: Diamond Aircraft Ind Inc DA 40, Blairsville, GA, Substantial damage. 8/30/2013 A Diamond DA-40, N447JP, departed charleston, SC. (Kjzi) around 9:00AM, bound for murphy andrews, NC (krhp). The aircraft was piloted by a private… 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.