# NTSB GAA19CA431: Diamond DA40, N420NG, Tavernier, FL, July 4, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 4, 2019, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Tavernier, FL - Coordinates: 25.004999, -80.532218 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.0050&lon=-80.5322&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99878 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA431 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99878/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99878 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA431 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed decision to go around in high-temperature and high-density altitude conditions and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, 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 DA 40 NG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2990014), [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 · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high temperature](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031015/cases.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during landing on a 2,175-ft-long grass runway, the airplane ballooned. He pushed the nose down, but the airplane floated and touched down about midfield. He added that he "briefly touched the brakes" but decided to go around. He added that he raised the flaps to the takeoff position and added full power, but "the delay of power in the diesel and high temperature did not allow for enough climb performance." The left wing aerodynamically stalled, and the airplane impacted vegetation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was light and variable, the temperature was 32°C (90°F), and the density altitude was 2,000 ft. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during landing on a 2,175 ft grass runway, the airplane ballooned. He pushed the nose down, but the airplane floated and touched down about midfield. He "briefly touched the brakes," but decided to go around. He raised the flaps to the takeoff position and added full power, but "the delay of power in the diesel and high temperature did not allow for enough climb performance." The left wing aerodynamically stalled and the airplane impacted vegetation. The pilot reported that the wind was light and variable, temperature was 32°C (90°F), and the density altitude was 2,000 ft. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the both wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N420NG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N420NG-2022-04-02), registration cancelled 2022-04-02, S/N 40.NC024, built 2018 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DIAMOND DA40 (NG) - Registry model: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG](https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da-40-ng) (registry code 2990014) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Austro E4-A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/austro-e4-a) (registry code 06402, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 40.NC024 - Year built: 2018 - Airframe hours: 88 - Engines: Austro AE300 168 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: October 23, 2018 - Departed: BCT, Boca Raton, FL - Destination: FA81, Tavernier, FL - Airport: FA81, Tavernaero Park, runway 26, 2,175 × 95 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 11, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 127 total, 21 in this make and model, 127 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KHST, 30 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 20190704009179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190704009179A), Jul 4, 2019: Diamond Aircraft Ind Inc DA 40 NG, Tavernier, FL, Destroyed. On July 4, 2019 aircraft N420NG crash landed 375 yards west of runway 26 @FA81 about 20 yards into the mangrove from the shoreline parallel to the runway.… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 23, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99878. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476144&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476145&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 301 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476146&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.