# NTSB LAX96LA051: Diamond Aircraft Industries DA20-A1, N402KT, San Carlos, CA, November 21, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 20, 1995, 17:57 local (Nov 21, 1995, 01:57 UTC) - Place: San Carlos, CA - Coordinates: 37.489181, -122.260063 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4892&lon=-122.2601&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 7, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29339 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA051 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29339/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA051 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control, while landing at night. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - light condition - dark night - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis The pilot made two attempts to land and executed a go-around each time for what appeared to the local controller to be a too-fast approach. After another approach, the aircraft touched down and bounced a couple of times, then it veered off the runway and collided with a runway sign. The wind was calm, and the pilot reported no mechanical problems. ## Factual narrative On November 20, 1995, at 1757 hours Pacific standard time, a Diamond Aircraft DA20-A1 Katana, N402KT, veered to the left of runway 30 after landing and collided with a taxi sign at the San Carlos airport in San Carlos, California. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the two occupants were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time with calm winds. The aircraft departed San Carlos at 1715 for a local pleasure flight. According to the local air traffic controller, the pilot had made two other attempts to land and executed a go-around each time for what appeared to be a too-fast approach. On the last landing, the aircraft bounced a couple of times and then veered to the left side of the runway. Runway 30 is 2,600 feet long and 75 feet wide. The runway was dry and the runway lights were set on medium intensity for the night landing. In his accident report the pilot indicated that he lost control while landing and veered off the left side of the runway and collided with a runway sign. He also indicated there was no mechanical problems with the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N402KT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N402KT-2007-03-01), registration cancelled 2007-03-01, S/N 10039, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Diamond Aircraft Industries DA20-A1 - Registry model: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-A1](https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da20-a1) (registry code 2990000) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 10039 - Airframe hours: 205 - Engines: Rotax 912 81 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Diamond Aviation - Registered owner: Karen & Roger Roman - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 9, 1995, 60 hours before - Departed: SQL - Destination: SQL - Airport: SQL, San Carlos, runway 30, 2,600 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 136 total, 7 in this make and model, 54 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SQL ## 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 19951120037839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951120037839A), Nov 20, 1995: Diamon DA20A1, San Carlos, CA, Substantial damage. Made two attempts to land too fast. On third try landed ballooned twice exited runway. Collided runway sign. 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.