Diamond DA 40 N691YW

Summary

On 4 December 2023 at about 22:50 local time, a Diamond DA 40 registered N691YW was involved in an accident near Kapolei, 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

4 December 2023 at 22:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Kapolei, Hawaii, United States

Nearest airport

Kalaeloa (John Rodgers Field) (PHJR)

Coordinates

21.3200, -158.1000

Aircraft

Diamond DA 40

Registration

N691YW

Category

Airplane

Year built

2006

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Flight Test

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Honolulu → Kapolei

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC24LA005

1 person was seriously injured.

A partial loss of engine power due to lose baffling from the muffler, which resulted in an obstruction of the exhaust system.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While enroute the pilot moved the throttle control lever forward and heard a “pop” sound come from the engine, followed by a rumbling noise and an airplane vibration. The pilot pulled the throttle back to its original position in an attempt to stop the rumbling and vibrations and turned the airplane back toward the runway for an emergency landing. Engine power was not restored, and the airplane began to lose altitude, so the pilot performed a forced landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. Postaccident examination revealed that baffling from the exhaust muffler had broken loose, blocking about 3/4 of the opening. The blocked exhaust reduced the volumetric efficiency of the engine cylinders, resulting in the partial loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.