# NTSB ERA18LA268: Diamond DA20, N397JA, Sebring, FL, September 29, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 2018, 12:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Sebring, FL
- Coordinates: 27.45861, -81.343055 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4586&lon=-81.3431&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 2019
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 98382
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA18LA268
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98382/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98382
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA268

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The inability of the pilot of the Piper and the student pilot and flight instructor of the Diamond to see and avoid the other airplane. Contributing to the collision was the Piper pilot’s failure to use the correct common traffic advisory frequency to announce his airplane's position.

## Findings

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

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Communications system: vHF communication system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022312): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022312/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022312/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Communications system: vHF communication system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022312): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022312/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022312/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

The private pilot of the Piper airplane with a passenger on board was landing while the student pilot of the Diamond airplane with a flight instructor on board was performing touch-and-go landings on an intersecting runway in day visual meteorological conditions. Both airplanes were flying in left traffic patterns for their respective runways at the uncontrolled airport. The pilot of the Piper and the student pilot of the Diamond stated that they announced every leg of the traffic pattern on the airport's published common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). The Diamond landed, and just when the student was adding power to initiate a takeoff, the left wing of the Piper, which was landing and flaring just a few feet above the runway, impacted the tail of the Diamond. The flight instructor in the Diamond said he was looking for the Piper after he saw it flying in the vicinity of the airport but that he never saw it in the airport traffic pattern, while the pilot of the Piper did not report seeing the Diamond until just before the collision. Recordings of the airport's CTAF showed that radio calls from the Diamond were heard for every leg of the airport traffic pattern on the published CTAF frequency before the collision, but only two garbled radio calls from the Piper were heard on the published CTAF frequency. Postaccident examination of the Piper's transceiver revealed that it was set to a different frequency. The Piper's transceiver was then set to the correct CTAF frequency, and the communication was clear. Therefore, it is likely that the pilot of the Piper failed to use the correct CTAF frequency when he announced his airplane's position in the airport traffic pattern.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 1)

On September 29, 2018, about 1240 eastern daylight time, a Diamond Aircraft Industries, Inc. (Diamond) DA20-C1, N397JA, owned and operated by Aamro Aviation Corporation, and a privately owned and operated Piper PA28R-180, N3907T, collided at the Sebring Regional Airport (SEF), Sebring, Florida. There were no injuries to the flight instructor aboard the Diamond or the private pilot and passenger aboard the Piper, while the student pilot aboard the Diamond sustained a minor injury. Both airplanes were substantially damaged. The Diamond and Piper airplanes were being operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight, and a personal flight, respectively. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and neither flight had filed a flight plan. The Diamond originated from SEF about 5 minutes earlier, while the Piper originated from the Peter O'Knight Airport (TPF), Tampa, Florida, about 1015.The flight instructor of the Diamond reported that he and the student pilot were practicing touch and go landings on runway 14 at SEF, an uncontrolled airport, with the wind from the east. During the second traffic pattern while on the upwind leg of the airport traffic pattern, he noticed a Piper arriving from the west, heading east. As the student pilot turned onto the crosswind and downwind legs of the airport traffic pattern, they lost sight of the Piper, and at that point he did not know if the Piper was transitioning the area or intended to enter the airport traffic pattern. If the Piper was to remain in the airport traffic pattern, he assumed that the pilot would enter left traffic of the airport traffic pattern for runway 14 behind them. The student pilot announced the Diamond's position on every leg of the airport traffic pattern making left turns, but neither pilot heard the pilot of the Piper acknowledge. The Diamond turned onto the base and final legs of the airport traffic pattern, and although the flight instructor was looking for the Piper, he did not see it. After landing on runway 14, the Diamond was configured for takeoff, and just as the student pilot advanced the throttle to full, the tail was contacted by the Piper's left wing. The pilot of the Piper reported that he approached SEF from the northwest quadrant, and the first radio call he made on the SEF common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) was when the airplane was near the airport crossing midfield at 1,200 feet mean sea level (msl). He reported turning onto the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern for runway 19, which he announced, then turned onto the base and final legs of the airport traffic pattern, which he also announced making left turns. He planned to touchdown at the 1,000-foot marker, and when flaring about 1 to 2 feet above runway 19, just before the collision, he noted a flash off his right wing. After the collision, he touched down, taxied onto taxiway A2, and secured the airplane. Postaccident examinationof the Diamond revealed the transceiver was set to 122.7 MHz (published CTAF); however, the transceiver of the Piper was set to 122.725 MHz. Operational testing of the transceiver in the Diamond revealed the transmissions were heard on a portable VHF transceiver, while transmissions from the Piper on the as-found frequency could not be heard. After switching to the published CTAF frequency, the transmissions were heard. NTSB review of recorded LiveATC.net audio for SEF for the period 1230 to 1300 revealed radio calls from the Diamond were heard for every leg of the airport traffic pattern prior to the collision; however, only 2 radio calls attributed to be from the Piper were heard. Both radio calls from the Piper were garbled and difficult to comprehend.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N397JA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N397JA-2020-02-28), registration cancelled 2020-02-28, S/N C0212, built 2003 (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: C0212
- Year built: 2003
- Airframe hours: 2776.8
- Engines: Continental IO-240-B32B 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aamro Aviation Corporation
- Registered owner: Aamro Aviation Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2018
- Departed: SEF, Sebring, FL
- Destination: SEF, Sebring, FL
- Airport: SEF, Sebring Regional Airport, runway 14, 4,990 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N3907T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3907T-2020-04-17), registration cancelled 2020-04-17, S/N 28R-30241, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28R (180)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-30241
- Year built: 1967
- Airframe hours: 3817
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 2018, 12 hours before
- Departed: TPF, Tampa, FL
- Destination: SEF, Sebring, FL
- Airport: SEF, Sebring Regional Airport, runway 19, 5,234 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, Auto-pilot

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot, aircraft N397JA; age 31; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 40 total, 35 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days
- Flight instructor, aircraft N397JA; age 52; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 6, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 698 total, 40 in this make and model, 467 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N3907T; age 79; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2017; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,323 total, 1,173 in this make and model, 1,246 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 5 knots
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: SEF

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20180929023622A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180929023622A), Sep 29, 2018: Diamond Aircraft Ind Inc DA20-C1, Sebring, FL, Substantial damage. On 09/25/18 at about 1015L Piper arrow N3907T departed ktpf VFR (part 91) to ksef with a pilot and his non-pilot spouse. N3907T made his arrival radio…
- [Accident 20180929023612A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180929023612A), Sep 29, 2018: Piper PA-28R-180, Sebring, FL, Substantial damage. On 09/25/18 at about 1015L Piper arrow N3907T departed ktpf VFR (part 91) to ksef with a pilot and his non-pilot spouse. N3907T made his arrival radio…

## Docket (9 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 2, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98382. 7.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - N3907T (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471570&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20N3907T-Master.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - N397JA (item 2, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471571&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20N397JA-Master.PDF
- Record of NTSB Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471572&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversation-Master.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statement (item 4, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471573&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF
- LiveATC.Net Audio File Accident Date (Time 1630 to 1700 UTC) (item 5, MP3, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471574&FileExtension=mp3&FileName=LiveATC.Net%20Audio%20File%20Accident%20Date%20(Time%201630%20to%201700%20UTC)-Master
- NTSB Audio Review of LiveATC.net File - Accident Date (item 6, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471575&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Audio%20Review%20of%20LiveATC.net%20File%20-%20Accident%20Date-Master.PDF
- NTSB Audio Review of LiveATC.net File - Postaccident Testing (item 7, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471576&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Audio%20Review%20of%20LiveATC.net%20File%20-%20Postaccident%20Testing-Master.PDF
- Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 - N3907T (item 8, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471577&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15%20-%20N3907T-Master.PDF
- Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 - N397JA (item 9, .PDF, 220 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471578&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15%20-%20N397JA-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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