# NTSB ERA20CA143: Diamond DA42, N311ER, Palm Coast, FL, April 1, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 1, 2020, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Palm Coast, FL - Coordinates: 29.465278, -81.207778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4653&lon=-81.2078&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 29, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA / FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101139 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101139/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101139 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA143 ## Probable cause The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain airplane control during a simulated engine failure landing and subsequent attempted go-around in gusting crosswind conditions and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed 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) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42 NG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2990105), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2990105), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2990105), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2990105), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2990105), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2990105), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2990105), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2990105), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2990105), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [After landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42 NG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2990105), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that the pilot receiving instruction was practicing a simulated single-engine failure to a landing in the multiengine airplane. The left engine was set to about 12% power, simulating a feathered propeller engine failure. While on final approach to land, the airplane started to drift right of the runway, and the pilot receiving instruction reported that he was having difficulty controlling the airplane due to strong prevailing winds. The instructor reported that he told the pilot receiving instruction to use more left rudder, but the airplane continued to drift right. The pilot receiving instruction decided to abort the landing and initiated a go-around by advancing both engines to full power. During the go-around, the airplane drifted left and then the instructor took the flight controls and applied full right rudder. The airplane continued drifting left, descended, and impacted vegetation, and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and empennage. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A crosswind component of between 6 and 10 knots existed. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor of the multi-engine airplane reported that, the student pilot was practicing a simulated in-flight engine failure to a landing. The left engine's was set to about 12% power, simulating a feathered propeller engine failure. While on finial approach to land, the airplane started to drift to the right of the runway, and the student pilot reported that he was having difficulty controlling the airplane during the single engine approach due to the strong wind that prevailed. The instructor reported that he told the student to use more left rudder, but the airplane continued to drift right. The student decided to abort the landing and initiated a go-around by advancing both engines to full power. During the go-around, the airplane drifted to left, the instructor took the flight controls and applied full right rudder. The airplane continued drifting to the left, descended, impacted vegetation, and the landing gear collapsed. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and empennage. At the time of the accident a wind from 40 degrees right of the runway centerline at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots prevailed. The calculated crosswind component was from the right at between 6 and 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N311ER](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N311ER), registered now, S/N 42.N212, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Diamond DA42 (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: [Austro E4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/austro-e4-series) (registry code 06400, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 42.N212 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 2271.1 - Engines: Austro Engine e4-c-00-000-0 165 horsepower reciprocating; Austro Engine e4-c-00-000-0 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Inc - Registered owner: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 5, 2020 - Departed: DAB, Daytona Beach, FL - Destination: FIN, Palm Coast, FL - Airport: FIN, Flagler Executive, runway 29, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Data recorder, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 26; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 20, 2019; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,439 total, 584 in this make and model, 1,311 as pilot in command, 199 in the last 90 days, 69 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 20; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 4, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 235 total, 16 in this make and model, 162 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: FIN ## 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 20200401003869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200401003869A), Apr 1, 2020: Diamond Aircraft Ind Gmbh DA 42 NG, Flagler, FL, Substantial damage. During this instructional flight the crew was practicing simulated in-flight engine out procedures. After completing the appropriate procedures the crew… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 17, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101139. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 846 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482554&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of e-mail correspondence (FAA) student pilot statement (item 2, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482555&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20e-mail%20correspondence%20(FAA)%20student%20pilot%20statement-Master.PDF - Damage Photos (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 381 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482556&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Damage%20Photos-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.