# NTSB GAA18LA062: Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, N965DS, Mesa, AZ, October 13, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 13, 2017, 08:57 local (15:57 UTC) - Place: Mesa, AZ - Coordinates: 33.307777, -111.655555 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3078&lon=-111.6556&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 14, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96390 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96390/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96390 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18LA062 ## Probable cause A coyote strike and the subsequent operation of the airplane, which led to internal composite wing structure damage. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) - [Wing structure: landing gear (fitting on wing)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035743): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035743/cases.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035743/cases.md) - [Wing structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035700): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035700/cases.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035700/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: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) (defining event); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md) - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Landing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); 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: Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 290 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.md) ## Analysis A student pilot was conducting a solo flight when the right main landing gear struck a coyote during the landing flare. The pilot contacted flight school management to inform them of the event. A visual examination that the pilot conducted did not reveal any damage, and she was instructed to fly the airplane back to the home airport. Upon landing, a flight school mechanic examined the airplane and reported seeing hair on the landing gear; the airplane remained in service. The next morning, the airplane was dispatched for a local employment evaluation flight. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction completed a preflight inspection, and no anomalies were observed. The employment evaluation flight departed and consisted of instrument approaches and touch-and-go landings. After the final landing, the pilots heard an abnormal noise coming from the right main landing gear area. Postaccident examination revealed that the internal composite wing structure where the landing gear attaches was fractured. Based on the available information, the damage to the wing structure was likely a result of the wildlife strike, which damaged the landing gear mount, and the subsequent operation of the airplane, which likely aggravated the damage. ## Factual narrative ***This report was revised on August 28, 2020. Please see the docket for this accident to view the original report.*** On October 13, 2017, at 0857 mountain standard time, a Diamond Aircraft Industries DA-40 airplane, N965DS, sustained substantial damage after landing at Falcon Field Airport (FFZ), Mesa, Arizona. The flight instructor and the pilot were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by CAE Oxford Aviation Academy, Phoenix, Arizona, as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 employment evaluation flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated from FFZ at 0750. The previous evening, October 12, 2017, about 2140, a student pilot was conducting a solo flight when the right main landing gear struck a coyote during the landing flare. The pilot contacted flight school management to inform them of the event. A visual examination conducted by the pilot did not reveal any damage and she was instructed to fly the airplane back to FFZ. Upon landing, a flight school mechanic examined the airplane and told the student he saw hair in the gear. The airplane remained in service. The following morning, October 13, 2017, the airplane was dispatched for a local flight. The dispatcher informed the flight instructor of the coyote strike the previous evening. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction reported completing a preflight inspection and no anomalies were observed. The employment evaluation flight consisted of instrument approaches and touch-and-go landings. After the final landing at FFZ, the pilots noticed an abnormal noise emanating from the right main landing gear area. Flight school maintenance personnel conducted a more detailed examination, which revealed that the internal composite wing structure where the landing gear attaches was fractured. The flight school updated their event and discrepancy reporting, and airplane return to service procedures in an effort to prevent any possibility of dispatching an unairworthy airplane in the future. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N965DS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N965DS-2024-10-22), registration cancelled 2024-10-22, S/N 40.1035, built 2009 (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: 40.1035 - Year built: 2009 - Airframe hours: 8086.4 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Cae Oxford Aviation Academy Phoenix Inc - Registered owner: Cae Oxford Aviation Academy Phoenix Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 6, 2017 - Departed: FFZ, MESA, AZ - Destination: KFFZ, MESA, CA - Airport: IWA, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway, runway 30R, 9,300 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Data recorder, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Check pilot; age 61; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 26, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,650 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 3,350 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 25; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; seat: left; flight hours: 976 total, 866 as pilot in command, 218 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 6 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KFFZ ## 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 20171013020279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171013020279A), Oct 13, 2017: Diamond Aircraft Ind Inc DA 40, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. After training flight discrepancy was reported of "flexing/binding sound emanating from right main strut." Two flight previous the right landing gear struck a… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 25, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96390. 8.0 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=40476276&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Coyote Strike -Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476277&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Coyote%20Strike%20-Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Technical Log -Maintenance Squawk (item 3, .PDF, 549 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476278&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Technical%20Log%20-Maintenance%20Squawk-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record -Factual (item 4, .PDF, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483964&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-Factual%20-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record -Operator's Internal Document (item 5, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483965&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-Operator%27s%20Internal%20Document-Master.PDF - Photographs (item 6, .PDF, 152 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476280&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photographs-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.