Diamond DA40 N292RA

Summary

On 15 September 2019 at about 20:50 local time, a Diamond DA40 registered N292RA was involved in an accident near Norfolk, Virginia, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 September 2019 at 20:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Norfolk, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Chesapeake Rgnl (CPK)

Coordinates

36.6656, -76.3206

Aircraft

Diamond DA40

Registration

N292RA

Category

Airplane

Year built

2018

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Norfolk → Norfolk

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA19LA272

1 person had minor injuries.

A partial loss of engine power due to the mechanic's failure to properly tighten the two clamps securing the flexible coupling from the intercooler to the induction inlet.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot said that, shortly after takeoff, he heard a noise from under the engine cowling followed by a partial loss of engine power. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and made a forced landing to a field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. Data downloaded from the airplane's electronic engine control unit was consistent with an uncommanded decrease in induction air boost pressure on takeoff. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the flexible induction coupling between the intercooler and the engine induction inlet had backed off. The two clamps that secured the flexible coupling to the induction inlet were intact and safety wired. However, the two clamps were loose, and the induction tube could be inserted into the coupling without loosening the clamps. A review of maintenance records revealed that the flexible induction coupling and clamps had been removed and replaced at the last 100-hour inspection about 15 flight hours before the accident. Because the two clamps that secured the coupling from the intercooler to the induction inlet were recently replaced, it is likely that the mechanic who installed the clamps did not properly tighten them, and they loosened in flight, leading to the induction inlet backing off and resulting in a loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.