# NTSB GAA17CA516: Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, N910XD, Goodyear, AZ, September 2, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 2, 2017, 09:44 local (16:44 UTC) - Place: Goodyear, AZ - Coordinates: 33.429721, -112.369445 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4297&lon=-112.3694&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 27, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95932 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA516 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95932/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95932 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA516 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## 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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [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 40 NG, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot reported that, during approach, he felt a "slight sink." He added that the main landing gears touched down, and the airplane began to porpoise. The student pilot added power to initiate a go-around, but the airplane veered left. The porpoising continued, so the pilot reduced the power to idle and attempted to use brakes to steer. The airplane exited the runway to the left and impacted a taxiway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The solo student pilot reported that, during approach, he felt a "slight sink". He added that the main landing gears touched down and the airplane began to porpoise. The student pilot added power to initiate a go-around, but the airplane veered left. The porpoising continued, so the pilot reduced power to idle and attempted to use brakes to steer. The airplane exited the runway to the left and impacted a taxiway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N910XD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N910XD-2018-12-21), registration cancelled 2018-12-21, S/N 40.N303 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND GMBH DA 40 NG (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG](https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da-40-ng) (registry code 2990010) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 40.N303 - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 1133.9 - Engines: Austro E4-A 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: L3 Ctc Aviation Training - Registered owner: Ctc Aviation Leasing (US) Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, August 23, 2017 - Departed: GYR, Goodyear, AZ - Destination: GYR, Goodyear, AZ - Airport: GYR, Phoenix Goodyear, runway 21, 8,500 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 23; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 16.3 total, 16.3 in this make and model, 1.7 as pilot in command, 16.3 in the last 90 days, 13.6 in the last 30 days, 1.8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KGYR, 1 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 6, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95932. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457762&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 198 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457763&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%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.