Diamond DA20-C1 Eclipse, N458MA: Accident occurred June 14, 2021 in Mathews, Virginia

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Richmond, Virginia 

Magrahen Air LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N458MA

Location: Matthews, VA

Accident Number: ERA21LA250

Date & Time: June 14, 2021, 12:30 Local 

Registration: N458MA

Aircraft: Diamond DA20

Injuries: 2 Minor

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

On June 14, 2021, about 1230 eastern daylight time, a Diamond DA20-C1, N458MA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Matthews, Virginia. The flight instructor and student pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

The flight instructor reported that during a short cross-country flight to Tangier Island in Chesapeake Bay, air traffic control instructed the flight to descend from 5,500 ft mean sea level (msl) to 2,500 ft msl, due to an active military operations area. After the student pilot leveled the airplane at 2,500 ft msl, the flight instructor noticed engine vibration and roughness that he initially corrected by advancing the throttle from 1,900 to 2,200 rpm; however, the engine subsequently shook “violently” followed by a total loss of engine power. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and realized that there was not enough altitude to glide to a shore. The flight instructor then ditched the airplane in Chesapeake Bay near a fishing trawler where he and the student pilot were rescued.

The wreckage was recovered about 2 weeks after the accident and retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Diamond 

Registration: N458MA

Model/Series: DA20 C1

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Amateur Built: No

Operator: 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot school (141)

Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC 

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KPHF,42 ft msl

Observation Time: 12:54 Local

Distance from Accident Site: 19 Nautical Miles 

Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C /21°C

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear

Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / , 260°

Lowest Ceiling: None 

Visibility: 10 miles

Altimeter Setting: 29.85 inches Hg 

Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR

Departure Point: Manassas, VA (HEF) 

Destination: Tangier Island, VA (TGI)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 Minor

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: N/A

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 2 Minor 

Latitude, Longitude: 37.371667,-76.228333 (est)