# NTSB GAA18CA474: Diamond DA20, N309EF, Van Nuys, CA, July 18, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 17, 2018, 19:25 local (Jul 18, 2018, 02:25 UTC) - Place: Van Nuys, CA - Coordinates: 34.20972, -118.489997 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2097&lon=-118.4900&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98016 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA474 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98016/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98016 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA474 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in a left quartering headwind, which resulted in a ground loop. ## 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 DA20-C1, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2990001), [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 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) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that, during landing, shortly after touchdown, a "crosswind…lifted the left wing," and the airplane "fishtailed." He said he and the instructor corrected by applying right aileron, but the airplane ground looped, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower right section of the fuselage. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 30 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 130° at 8 knots and that, about 15 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 100º at 9 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 16R. ## Factual narrative The student pilot reported that, during landing, shortly after touchdown, a "crosswind lifted the left wing" and the airplane veered left. He corrected with opposite aileron, but the airplane ground looped to the left and the right landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower right section of the fuselage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 30 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 130° at 8 knots and about 15 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 100º at 9 knots. The airplane landed on runway 16R. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N309EF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N309EF-2022-05-07), registration cancelled 2022-05-07, S/N C0262, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Diamond DA20 (C1) - Registry model: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1](https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da20-c1) (registry code 2990001) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-240 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-240-series) (registry code 17063, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: C0262 - Year built: 2004 - Engines: Continental IO-240 SER reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Amval Llc - Registered owner: Amval Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: VNY, Van Nuys, CA - Destination: VNY, Van Nuys, CA - Airport: VNY, Van Nuys, runway 16R, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 24; injuries: none; commercial, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; seat: right - Student pilot; age 24; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 21 total, 13 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 100° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KVNY ## 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 20180717014529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180717014529A), Jul 17, 2018: Diamond Aircraft Ind Inc DA20-C1, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. During landing roll out on run way 16R, the student pilot and the flight instructor were on the flight controls and experienced a cross wind. The student pilot… ## Other investigations on N309EF (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 WPR15LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA154), Apr 24, 2015: Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 20 C1 (N309EF), Van Nuys, CA, minor damage. Probable cause: Both pilots’ failure to see and avoid each other, which resulted in an on ground collision while taxiing. Contributing to the accident was the ground controller’s failure to notify either pilot about… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 11, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98016. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 814 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474065&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474066&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Student Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474067&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Student%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA (item 4, .PDF, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474068&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA-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.