Diamond DA 20C-1 N960CT

Summary

On 6 July 2002 at about 14:20 local time, a Diamond DA 20C-1 registered N960CT, operated by AV-ED Flight Schools Inc., was involved in an accident near Leesburg, Virginia, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 July 2002 at 14:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Leesburg, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Leesburg Executive Airport (JYO)

Coordinates

39.1225, -77.5603

Aircraft

Diamond DA 20C-1

Registration

N960CT

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

AV-ED Flight Schools Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Leesburg → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC02FA131

1 person died.

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The passenger reported that the pilot departed the airport, completed a touch-and go, and flew to a practice area. The passenger then flew two clearing turns at 2,500 feet msl, and the pilot subsequently retook control of the airplane and climbed to 3,000 feet msl. After the pilot leveled the airplane about 2,900 feet msl, the engine lost all power. The pilot completed emergency checklist items, but was unable to restart the engine. The pilot then attempted a forced landing to a field. The airplane impacted in residential area; left wing low, nose down, and slid about 100 feet. Aside from a sooty number two cylinder, examination of the wreckage did not reveal any discrepancies. After the initial examination, the engine was then disassembled, and no discrepancies were observed. The fuel control unit, injector lines, nozzles, manifold, magnetos, number two cylinder and piston, and connecting rod, were all tested at the engine manufacturer's facility. The fuel components and magnetos flowed and tested within specifications respectively. The cause of the black sooty deposit within the number two cylinder could not be determined; however, the deposit appeared to be over normal combustion deposit.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.