# NTSB GAA18CA358: Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 20, N992CT, Spanish Fork, UT, June 16, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 16, 2018, 10:22 local (17:22 UTC) - Place: Spanish Fork, UT - Coordinates: 40.14389, -111.666114 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1439&lon=-111.6661&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97517 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA358 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97517/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97517 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA358 ## Probable cause The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/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 DA20-C1, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction reported that the pilot performed a soft-field takeoff, and once in ground effect, he reduced back pressure, and the instructor heard the stall warning horn and observed a low airspeed. The instructor told the pilot to reduce the pitch, the pilot lowered the nose a little, but the airplane continued to climb. The instructor told the pilot to reduce pitch again, but the pilot stated he was concerned about a possible propeller strike. The flight instructor took the flight controls, but the airplane had turned to the right, and he experienced a "loss of control." The airplane landed off the right side of the runway, the instructor reduced power, the left main landing gear separated, and the airplane came to rest. The flight instructor and pilot reported that the airplane had aerodynamically stalled. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The flight instructor and pilot both reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction reported that, the pilot performed a soft field takeoff and once in ground effect, he reduced back pressure and the instructor heard the stall warning horn and observed a low airspeed. The instructor told the pilot to reduce the pitch, the pilot lowered the nose a little, but the airplane continued to climb. The instructor told the pilot to reduce pitch again, but the pilot reported he was concerned about a possible propeller strike. The flight instructor took the flight controls, but the airplane had turned to the right and he experienced a "loss of control". The airplane landed off the right side of the runway, the instructor reduced power, the left main landing gear separated, and the airplane came to rest. The instructor and student reported that the airplane had aerodynamically stalled. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction both reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N992CT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N992CT-2021-06-05), registration cancelled 2021-06-05, S/N C0092, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 20 (C1) - Registry model: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1](https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da20-c1) (registry code 2990001) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: C0092 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 5774.3 - Engines: Continental O-200 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: 992ct Aircraft Leasing LLC - Registered owner: 992ct Aircraft Leasing LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 6, 2018 - Departed: SPK, Spanish Fork, UT - Destination: PVU, Provo, UT - Airport: SPK, Spanish Fork Arpt Springville-, runway 30, 6,500 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 26; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 30, 2018; seat: right; flight hours: 650 total, 350 in this make and model, 540 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 3, 2018; seat: left; flight hours: 181.6 total, 129.6 in this make and model, 92.3 as pilot in command, 103.9 in the last 90 days, 55.4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: KPVU, 5 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 20180616008039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180616008039A), Jun 16, 2018: Diamond Aircraft Ind Inc DA20-C1, Spanish Fork, UT, Substantial damage. June 16th, 2018, a student and his instructor prepared for a flight to practice instrument procedures. They departed runway 30 at 1023 MST at Spanish Fork… ## Other investigations on N992CT (1) 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. - [NTSB GAA17CA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA088), Dec 2, 2016: Diamond Aircraft Ind DA-20 (N992CT), Payson, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's improper in-flight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 11, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97517. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466509&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Instructor and Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466510&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Instructor%20and%20Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 187 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466511&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.