# NTSB GAA18CA189: Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, N53SL, Gila Bend, AZ, March 30, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 30, 2018, 15:46 local (22:46 UTC)
- Place: Gila Bend, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.958889, -112.679443 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9589&lon=-112.6794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96961
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96961/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96961
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA189

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to properly set the parking brake, which resulted in an impact with a pole.

## Findings

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

- [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2990002), [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.

- [Taxi-from runway: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Taxi-from runway: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, after taxiing to the ramp, he set the parking brake. He added that he released the foot brake, the airplane rolled forward, and impacted a pole. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The flight safety officer reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He added that, after the accident, he verified proper operation of the parking brake.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, after taxiing to the ramp, he set the parking brake. He added that he released the foot brake, the airplane rolled forward, and impacted a pole. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The Flight Safety Officer reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He added that, after the accident, he verified proper operation of the parking brake.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53SL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53SL), registered now, S/N 40.519, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 40 (UNDESIGNAT)
- Registry model: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40](https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da-40) (registry code 2990002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 40.519
- Year built: 2005
- Airframe hours: 3062.2
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-M1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: CAE Oxford Aviation Academy Phoenix Inc
- Registered owner: K2 Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 29, 2018
- Departed: FFZ, MESA, AZ
- Destination: E63, Gila Bend, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: E63, Gila Bend Muni
- Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Data recorder, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 207 total, 207 in this make and model, 89 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: KBXK, 27 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 20180330010409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180330010409A), Mar 30, 2018: Diamond Aircraft Ind Inc DA 40, Gila Bend, AZ, Substantial damage. On March 30, 2018, around 1547 PDT, N53SL, DA-40 collided with a covered parking structure with the right wing which resulted in substantial damage to the…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 22, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96961. 3.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463429&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation - Flight Safety Officer (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463430&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Flight%20Safety%20Officer-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 222 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463431&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.

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