# NTSB GAA19CA569: Diamond DA20, N212DX, Fort Wayne, IN, September 20, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 20, 2019, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Fort Wayne, IN - Coordinates: 41.143333, -85.152778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1433&lon=-85.1528&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 17, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100333 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA569 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100333/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100333 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA569 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and impact with a tree during an off-airport landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Inadequate inspection; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while conducting the preflight inspection for the first flight of the day, the fuel was at the bottom of the 1/2 mark on the wood dipstick, and the gauge also reflected the same fuel level. He added that, before taking off for the accident flight, which was the fourth flight that day, he checked the fuel gauge, and it was showing right above 1/4 tank. The pilot reported that, while on approach to land, the engine sputtered and lost all power. He retracted the flaps to extend the glide distance, but the airplane was unable to reach the runway. He then conducted an off-airport landing on a service road. Upon landing, the airplane veered left and impacted a tree. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, left wing, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administrator inspector who examined the airplane reported that only about 16 ounces of fuel were drained from the fuel system, and no fuel leaks were found. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while on approach to land, the engine sputtered and had a complete loss of power. He retracted the flaps to extend the glide distance but was unable to make the runway. He then made an off-airport landing, on a service road between two buildings. Upon landing the airplane veered left and impacted a tree. The pilot further reported that, while conducting the preflight inspection, the fuel was at the bottom of the 1/2 mark on the diamond wood dipstick and the gauge also reflected the fuel level. During the accident flight, he again checked the fuel gauge and noticed it was showing right above 1/4 tank. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, left wing and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administrator inspector who examined the airplane reported that, in total only about 16 ounces of fuel was drained from the airplane fuel system and no fuel leaks were identified. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N212DX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N212DX-2020-03-27), registration cancelled 2020-03-27, S/N C0275, 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: C0275 - Year built: 2004 - Engines: Continental IO-240 SER reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: SMD, Fort Wayne, IN - Destination: SMD, Fort Wayne, IN - Airport: SMD, Smith Field, runway 23, 3,126 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 14, 2019; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 60 total, 59 in this make and model, 19 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KGWB, 10 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 20190920014519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190920014519A), Sep 20, 2019: Diamond Aircraft Ind Inc DA20-C1, Fort Wayne, IN, Substantial damage. On September 20, 2019, about 1920 eastern daylight time, a Diamond DA20-C1 airplane, N212DX, crashed, three tenths of a nautical mile short of runway 23 at… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100333. 927 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 831 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478562&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of E-mail Correspondence (FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478563&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20E-mail%20Correspondence%20(FAA)-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.