Diamond DA 20-C1 N765DC

Summary

On 9 March 2008 at about 22:20 local time, a Diamond DA 20-C1 registered N765DC was involved in an accident near Spanish Fork, Utah, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 March 2008 at 22:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Spanish Fork, Utah, United States

Nearest airport

Spanish Fork Airport (U77)

Coordinates

40.1414, -111.6611

Aircraft

Diamond DA 20-C1

Registration

N765DC

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Spanish Fork → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA08LA090

Nobody was injured.

The fatigue failure of the nose wheel fork assembly attachment stud/bolt during takeoff initial climb, and the collapse of the nose gear during landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the initial climb after takeoff, the pilot heard a "loud bang" originating from the rear of the airplane, and he decided to circle around the airport and land. As the nose of the airplane settled during the landing roll, the nose wheel strut folded aft into the fuselage, resulting in structural damage to the airframe. Examination of the airplane revealed that the nose wheel fork assembly and tire had separated from the nose wheel strut during takeoff. Examination of the nose wheel fork assembly attachment stud/bolt revealed fracture features consistent with fatigue and overload. Evidence of oxidation and/or corrosion was also present on the fracture surface.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.