# NTSB GAA18CA288: Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, N143RD, Marlborough, MA, May 20, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 20, 2018, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Marlborough, MA - Coordinates: 42.344444, -71.511665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3444&lon=-71.5117&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97288 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA288 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97288/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97288 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA288 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper decision to land on a runway that was too short for a safe landing and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control in tailwind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2990002), [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 · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: 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, during landing, the airplane touched down in the first third of the 1,659-ft-long runway, but the airplane did not seem to slow as normal with the brakes applied. He pumped the brakes, but the deceleration was "less than expected." He considered performing a go around but decided to use maximum braking instead. With maximum braking applied, the airplane veered off the runway to the right and impacted a fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He further reported that, following the accident, he inspected the runway and found solid skid marks from the right tire and broken skid marks from the left tire. The pilot reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was light and variable and predominately from 280°. The automated weather observation station located about 12 miles east of the accident airport reported that, about 19 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 220° at 12 knots. The airplane landed on runway 32. The calculated landing roll with full flaps was 930 ft, and the landing distance over a 50-ft obstacle was 2,020 ft. The manufacturer stated that "For a safe landing the landing distance available (LDA) should be at least equal to the landing distance of a 50 ft (15m) obstacle." ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane touched down in the first third of the 1,659 ft long runway, but the airplane did not seem to slow as normal with the brakes applied. He pumped the brakes, but the deceleration was "less than expected". He considered performing a go around but decided to use maximum braking instead. With maximum brake applied, the airplane veered off the runway to the right and impacted a fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He further reported that, following the accident, he inspected the runway and found solid skid marks from the right tire and broken skid marks from the left tire. The pilot reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was light and variable, and predominately from 280°. The automated weather observation station located about 12 miles to the east of the accident airport reported that, about 19 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 220° at 12 knots. The airplane landed on runway 32. The calculated landing roll with full flaps was 930 ft and the landing distance over a 50 ft obstacle was 2,020 ft. The manufacturer states that: "For a safe landing the landing distance available (LDA) should be at least equal to the landing distance of a 50 ft (15m) obstacle." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N143RD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N143RD-2019-02-11), registration cancelled 2019-02-11, S/N 40.657, built 2006 (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 IO-360-M1A+](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-m1a-plus) (registry code 41869, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 40.657 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 2176.1 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-M1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 18, 2017 - Departed: FWN, SUSSEX, NJ - Destination: 9B1, Marlborough, MA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 9B1, Marlboro, runway 32, 1,659 × 45 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, waiver time limited special; last flight review September 9, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 15,129 total, 165 in this make and model, 2,979 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1.2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: KBED, 12 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 20180520005679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180520005679A), May 20, 2018: Diamond Aircraft Ind Inc DA 40, Marlborough, MA, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed on runway 32, during landing roll braking was applied but aircraft wasn't responsive. Aircraft departed runway onto grass and subsequently… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 2, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97288. 7.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465615&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Landing Performance Excerpt (item 2, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465616&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Landing%20Performance%20Excerpt-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465617&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465618&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.