# NTSB MIA08CA148: Diamond DA20-C1, N956CT, Norfolk, VA, July 13, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 13, 2008, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Norfolk, VA - Coordinates: 36.665554, -76.320556 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6656&lon=-76.3206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Richmond FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68503 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68503/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA148 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student pilot while taxiing for takeoff. A factor contributing to the accident was the student pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot (SP) stated he added a little more power than required to start the taxi. His flight instructor (CFI) informed him to decrease the power, and looked down to tune the airplane radios. The SP initiated a right turn towards the runway, and to avoid a parked airplane. The SP did not see a light pole that was off the left side of the airplane, and the left wing collided with the light pole. Full brakes were applied by the CFI, and the airplane came to stop. When asked if the flight instructor said anything before the collision, the SP stated "no." The student pilot stated he just failed to see the pole while maneuvering to the right, resulting in the left wing colliding with the pole. ## Factual narrative The student pilot (SP) stated he added a little more power than required to start the taxi. His flight instructor (CFI) informed him to decrease the power. and looked down to tune the airplane radios. The SP initiated a right turn towards the runway and to avoid a parked airplane. The SP did not see a light pole that was located off the left side of the airplane, and the left wing collided with the light pole. The airplane rotated a little to the left. Full brakes were applied by the CFI and the airplane came to stop. When asked if the flight instructor said anything before the collision, the SP stated no. The student pilot stated, he just failed to see the pole while maneuvering to the right resulting in the left wing colliding with the pole. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N956CT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N956CT), registered now, S/N C0116 (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: C0116 - Airframe hours: 2000 - Engines: Continental IO-240 125 lbs thrust reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Tidewater Flight Center LLC - Registered owner: Tidewater Flight Center LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 2008, 0.3 hours before - Departed: KCPK, Norfolk, VA - Airport: KCPK, Chesapeake Regional Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 22; injuries: none; private, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 440 total, 40 in this make and model, 390 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 18; injuries: none; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 8 total, 7 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: KCPK ## 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 20080713841629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080713841629A), Jul 13, 2008: Diamon DA20C1, Norfolk, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) Instructor and student were taxiing in ramp area to the runway for pattern work. Instructor got distracted inside the cockpit while the student applied… 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.