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
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)
Nearby boat got everyone picked up before plane sank. If the turn that got them closer to shore was also to get closer to that boat, extra credit to the pilot.
ReplyDeletehttps://flightaware.com/live/flight/N458MA
https://wydaily.com/regional/2021/06/15/vims-research-vessel-rescues-downed-plane/