Diamond DA 40 N680DS

Summary

On 26 February 2021 at about 17:15 local time, a Diamond DA 40 registered N680DS, operated by George's Aviation Services Inc, was involved in an accident near Lanai, Hawaii, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 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

26 February 2021 at 17:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Lanai, Hawaii, United States

Coordinates

20.8496, -157.1265

Aircraft

Diamond DA 40

Registration

N680DS

Category

Airplane

Year built

2006

Engines

1

Operator

George's Aviation Services Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Honolulu

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC21LA018

1 person was seriously injured.

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the flight instructor, after conducting a practice instrument approach and a subsequent touch-and-go landing in the single-engine airplane, they executed the published missed approach procedure which included holding at a fix located about six miles offshore. Shortly after establishing the airplane in the hold the engine began to vibrate. In an effort to correct for the vibration, the flight instructor moved the mixture to the full rich position, but the engine vibration increased followed by a loud bang. A check of the multi-function display’s engine page revealed no exhaust gas temperature on the number 2-cylinder and a complete loss of oil pressure. The flight instructor then disengaged the autopilot and turned the airplane toward the shoreline. A “MAYDAY” call was transmitted to air traffic control (ATC) as the cockpit began to fill with smoke and oil became evident on the engine cowling. The fresh air window vents were opened in an effort to vacate the cockpit of smoke and ATC provided vectors to a nearby airport. During the emergency descent, while attempting to maintain best glide speed, they tried to restart the engine to no avail, and subsequently secured the airplane, donned their life preservers, and opened the airplane’s cockpit canopy. The flight instructor ditched the airplane in the ocean waters. During the ditching the empennage separated from the fuselage resulting in substantial damage. The airplane sank in the ocean waters and was not recovered or examined after the accident; therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.