Diamond DA 20-C1 N346DC

Summary

On 30 March 2006 at about 17:56 local time, a Diamond DA 20-C1 registered N346DC was involved in an accident near Clay Township, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and 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

30 March 2006 at 17:56

Classification

Accident

Location

Clay Township, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

40.8525, -79.9747

Aircraft

Diamond DA 20-C1

Registration

N346DC

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Butler → Meadville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC06LA086

1 person was seriously injured.

A loss of engine power during cruise flight for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent impact with trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Approximately 5 minutes after takeoff, at an altitude of 800 feet agl, the engine rpm went from 2,000 to idle. The pilot applied full throttle and rich mixture; however, the engine remained at idle. He subsequently turned the electric fuel pump on. The engine then lost all power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the approach, the pilot was able to restart the engine once, but it lost all power again. Examination of the wreckage revealed that there was adequate fuel in the fuselage fuel tank, fuel in the fuel line from the airframe to the engine driven fuel pump, and fuel in the fuel line from the engine driven fuel pump to the fuel manifold valve. Subsequent testing of the electric fuel pump on a test stand revealed that it was undamaged and flowed within specifications. A test run of the engine revealed that it experienced a normal start on the first attempt, without hesitation. The engine ran for approximately 30 minutes at different power settings, including idle to full power. In addition, the engine driven fuel pump was found to be intact, and flowed within specifications when placed on a test stand. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were identified during the examinations.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.