View of damage to the empennage.
Federal Aviation Administration
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
https://registry.faa.gov/N979DA
Location: Pueblo, CO
Accident Number: GAA19CA490
Date & Time: 08/07/2019, 0810 MDT
Registration: N979DA
Aircraft: Diamond DA20
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Runway excursion
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional
The student pilot reported that, after being endorsed for his first solo flight, he made three approaches and three landings. During the third approach, the nose of the airplane yawed to the right, and he applied left rudder to correct the right yaw but was unsuccessful. About 15ft AGL, the pilot aborted the landing and applied full engine power but, "The aircraft jerked and continued to descend with right yaw." The airplane landed on the runway with the nose of the airplane oriented to the right of the runway heading. The airplane exited the right side of the runway and stopped after encountering the rough terrain.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the tail and empennage.
The METAR at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 4 knots.
The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Student
Age: 33, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/04/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 18.4 hours (Total, all aircraft), 17.7 hours (Total, this make and model)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Diamond
Registration: N979DA
Model/Series: DA20 C1
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Utility
Serial Number: C0486
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 07/02/2019, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1764 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 6528.9 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C126 installed, activated, aided in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: IO-240-B
Registered Owner: Doss Aviation Inc
Rated Power: 125 hp
Operator: Doss Aviation Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPUB, 4720 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1416 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 90°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Light and Variable /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: Variable
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.05 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C / 16°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Pueblo, CO (PUB)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Pueblo, CO (PUB)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 0755 MDT
Type of Airspace: Class D
Airport Information
Airport: Pueblo Memorial (PUB)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 4729 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 08L
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4690 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Go Around; Traffic Pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 38.290000, -104.498056 (est)