Diamond DA20-C1 Eclipse, N976PA: Accident occurred March 26, 2022 and Incident occurred August 19, 2020

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

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

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Salt Lake City, Utah

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

https://registry.faa.gov/N976PA

Location: Spanish Fork, Utah 

Accident Number: WPR22LA131

Date and Time: March 26, 2022, 13:01 Local

Registration: N976PA

Aircraft: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA20- C1 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Loss of control on ground

Injuries: 2 Minor

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that, following 2 aborted landings, he attempted a third landing. Shortly after the initial touch down, the airplane encountered a wind gust, which lifted the left wing. The pilot applied left aileron input and initiated a go-around; however, the right wing struck the runway, which rotated the airplane to the right. Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway surface, impacted a ditch, and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported at the time of the accident, he was landing on runway 30, and the wind was from 240° at 8 knots, gusting to 17 knots.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing with gusting wind.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot

Environmental issues Gusts - Effect on operation

Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private

Age: 22, Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 

Seat Occupied: Left

Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 

Restraint Used: 4-point

Instrument Rating(s): None 

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): None 

Toxicology Performed:

Medical Certification: Class 2 Without waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam: October 5, 2021

Occupational Pilot: No

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: March 25, 2022

Flight Time: 81.8 hours (Total, all aircraft), 81.8 hours (Total, this make and model), 19.4 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 22.3 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 12.4 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC

Registration: N976PA

Model/Series: DA20-C1

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 2006 

Amateur Built:

Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Utility

Serial Number: C0376

Landing Gear Type: Tricycle

Seats: 2

Date/Type of Last Inspection: February 2, 2022 100 hour Certified 

Max Gross Wt.: 1764 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection: 36.5 Hrs

Engines: 1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time: 7079.2 Hrs as of last inspection

Engine Manufacturer: Continental Motors

ELT: Installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident

Engine Model/Series: IO-240-B

Registered Owner: 

Rated Power: 125 Horsepower

Operator: 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KSPK,4529 ft msl 

Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 

Direction from Accident Site: 0°

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 

Visibility:

Lowest Ceiling: 

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots / 17 knots

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /

Wind Direction: 240°

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /

Altimeter Setting: 30.25 inches Hg

Temperature/Dew Point: 23.9°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Spanish Fork, UT

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: Spanish Fork, UT 

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time: 

Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Spanish Fork Municipal Airport SPK

Runway Surface Type: Asphalt

Airport Elevation: 4529 ft msl

Runway Surface Condition: Dry

Runway Used: 30 

IFR Approach: None

Runway Length/Width: 6500 ft / 100 ft

VFR Approach/Landing: Go around; Traffic pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 2 Minor 

Latitude, Longitude: 40.145153,-111.66523(est)

March 26, 2022

SPANISH FORK, Utah — Two men in their 20s were transported to a hospital with minor injuries after a small airplane crashed at the Spanish Fork Airport on Saturday.

The Diamond DA20-C1 Eclipse plane was caught in a crosswind when landing, causing it to leave the runway, Spanish Fork police Lt. Cory Slaymaker said. The airplane then hit a ditch and flipped, he added.

The Spanish Fork Airport is coordinating cleanup. The runway is currently closed for several hours, according to Slaymaker.

The identities of those involved were not released.

https://www.ksl.com

March 26, 2022

March 26, 2022

March 26, 2022

March 26, 2022

March 26, 2022

March 26, 2022

SPANISH FORK, Utah — A small airplane crashed while attempting to land at the Spanish Fork Municipal Airport Saturday, but the occupants were not seriously injured.

According to Spanish Fork Police, the single-engine plane was landing on the runway when it got caught in crosswinds. It went off the runway and into a ditch, where it flipped over.

The two occupants, both men in their early 20s, were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

The plane had originally taken off from the same airport where it was attempting to land.

Police alerted the Federal Aviation Administration of the crash, but it is not yet known if they will conduct an investigation.

https://www.fox13now.com

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Salt Lake City, Utah

August 19, 2020:  Aircraft made an emergency landing in a field near Spanish Fork Airport (KSPK), Utah County, Utah.

Date: 19-AUG-20
Time: 21:00:00Z
Regis#: N976PA
Aircraft Make: DIAMOND
Aircraft Model: DA20
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
City: PAYSON
State: UTAH

August 19, 2020

August 19, 2020

August 19, 2020