# NTSB ERA13LA043: Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42 NG, N607PA, Palm Coast, FL, October 11, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 2012, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Palm Coast, FL
- Coordinates: 29.466943, -81.203613 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4669&lon=-81.2036&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 85465
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13LA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85465/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85465
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA043

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a hard landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42 NG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2990105), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42 NG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2990105), [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.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42 NG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2990105), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During the approach, the designated pilot examiner (DPE) instructed the pilot to demonstrate a short-field landing. While on short final approach, the pilot reduced power and slowed the airspeed. As the airplane crossed the runway threshold, it descended rapidly and then landed hard. Neither pilot reported any flight control anomalies or mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the flight school's training manual revealed that the pilot was to obtain 82 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) during a short-field landing. Review of the manufacturer's operating procedures revealed that the minimum airspeed for landing was between 84 and 86 KIAS and that it contained no procedures for short-field landings. The DPE stated that the airspeed was between about 75 and 80 KIAS during the approach and 67 KIAS before touchdown, which was lower than the landing airspeed listed in the manufacturer's operating manual or the flight school's training manual. The DPE stated that the speed "bled off" to fast for her to take over control of the airplane. Conducting the landing at such a low airspeed resulted in the loss of lift and a hard landing.

## Factual narrative

On October 11, 2012, about 1330 eastern daylight time, a Diamond DA-42 Twinstar, N607PA, was substantially damaged following a hard landing at Flagler County Airport (XFL), Palm Coast, Florida. The designated pilot examiner (DPE) and private pilot were uninjured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Phoenix East Aviation under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed from Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB), Daytona Beach, Florida at 1000. According to the DPE and the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to complete a multi-engine check ride. During an approach, the pilot was instructed to demonstrate a short field landing. While on short final, the pilot reduced power and slowed the airspeed. As the airplane crossed the runway threshold, the airplane descended rapidly and landed hard on the runway. Both pilots reported no flight control anomalies or mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. A post-accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the composite wing spar fractured at the fuselage bulkhead. A review of the Phoenix East Aviation's training manual revealed that the procedures for short-field approach to landing required the pilot to obtain 82 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS). A review of the Diamond Aircraft normal operating procedures revealed that the minimum airspeed with flaps applied for landing is 84 KIAS. There is not a published short field landing procedure in the Diamond Aircraft DA-42 operations manual. During the approach to land the DPE stated that the airspeed was approximately between 75-80 KIAS and indicated 67 knots before touchdown.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N607PA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N607PA), registered now, S/N 42.AC078, built 2007 (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: [Thielert TAE-125-02-99](https://openairdocs.org/engine/thielert-tae-125-02-99) (registry code 59302, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 42.AC078
- Year built: 2007
- Airframe hours: 2180
- Engines: Austro E4-B 132 horsepower reciprocating; Austro E4-B 132 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Phoenix East Aviation Inc
- Registered owner: Phoenix East Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 14, 2012, 67 hours before
- Departed: DAB, Daytona Beach, FL
- Destination: XFL, Palm Coast, FL
- Airport: XFL, Flagler County Airport, runway 06, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 5, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 460 total, 43 in this make and model, 335 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days
- Check pilot; age 79; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2011; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 15,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 14,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observed at: XFL

## 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 20121011022929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121011022929A), Oct 11, 2012: Diamond Aircraft Ind Gmbh DA 42 NG, Palm Coast, FL, Substantial damage. Aircraft in-close on short-field approach to Flagler County Airport (kxfl) runway 6 experienced sudden and rapid settling, consistent with a stall, during…

## Docket (11 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 24, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85465. 5.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1-Hajj (item 1, .PDF, 602 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406378&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Hajj-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1-TvanderSpek (item 2, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406379&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-TvanderSpek-Redacted.PDF
- Statement of PIC (item 3, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406380&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20PIC-Redacted.PDF
- Statement of DPE (item 4, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406383&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20DPE-Redacted.PDF
- Other Pertinent Forms and Reports-Phoenix East Aviation DA24 short field appraoch excerpt (OLD) (item 5, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406386&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports-Phoenix%20East%20Aviation%20DA24%20short%20field%20appraoch%20excerpt%20(OLD)-Master.PDF
- Other Pertinent Forms and Reports-Diamond Aircraft normal operating procedure excerpt (item 6, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406394&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports-Diamond%20Aircraft%20normal%20operating%20procedure%20excerpt-Master.PDF
- Photo 1-Front right quarter of airplane (FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 699 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406400&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201-Front%20right%20quarter%20of%20airplane%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2-wing spar fractured at the fuselage bulkhead (FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 259 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406401&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202-wing%20spar%20fractured%20at%20the%20fuselage%20bulkhead%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3-Over stressed trunion (FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 203 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406402&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203-Over%20stressed%20trunion%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 4-Rightside view of landing gear (FAA) (item 10, .PDF, 596 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406403&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204-Rightside%20view%20of%20landing%20gear%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 5-Right engine propeller blade damage (FAA) (item 11, .PDF, 641 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406404&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205-Right%20engine%20propeller%20blade%20damage%20(FAA)-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.

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