Diamond DA-20C-1 Eclipse, registered to and operated by Falcon Aviation Academy, N143MA: Accident occurred May 13, 2018 at LaGrange Callaway Airport (KLGC), Georgia

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N143MA

Location: LaGrange, GA
Accident Number: GAA18CA282
Date & Time: 05/13/2018, 1720 EDT
Registration: N143MA
Aircraft: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 20
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional

The flight instructor reported that, during a soft field takeoff, the student kept the stick back and allowed the nose of the airplane to come up. The airplane drifted to the left and he reminded the student to apply right rudder and right aileron. He added that it seemed like the student applied too much right aileron and the right wing was close to dragging on the runway. The flight instructor prepared to take the flight controls and the student overcorrected to the left and the left wing impacted the ground. The flight instructor took control of the airplane, reduced power, and taxied to park without further incident.

The student pilot reported that, during a soft field takeoff, about 30 to 35 knots, the airplane lifted off the ground and encountered a crosswind that rolled the airplane to the right. The right wing dragged on the ground, he rolled the airplane to the left, and the left wing impacted the ground.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left aileron.

The chief flight instructor of the school reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 21, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/20/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:   (Estimated) 34 hours (Total, all aircraft), 34 hours (Total, this make and model), 1 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 31 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 10 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 32, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/01/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/05/2018
Flight Time:   (Estimated) 635 hours (Total, all aircraft), 246 hours (Total, this make and model), 564 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 239 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 77 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC
Registration: N143MA
Model/Series: DA 20 C1
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Utility
Serial Number: C0243
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/05/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 6429.9 Hours
Engine Manufacturer:  Continental
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-240-B
Registered Owner: Falcon Aviation Academy
Rated Power: 125 hp
Operator: Falcon Aviation Academy
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KCCO, 970 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 24 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2115 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 40°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.05 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 32°C / 8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:  No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Atlanta, GA (CCO)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: LaGrange, GA (LGC)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1600 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: LAGRANGE-CALLAWAY (LGC)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 693 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 31
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5599 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  33.009167, -85.069722 (est)