Diamond DA20-C1 N208DB

Summary

On 5 June 2024 at about 19:40 local time, a Diamond DA20-C1 registered N208DB, operated by Freeflight Aviation LLC, was involved in an accident near Southampton Township, New Jersey, 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

5 June 2024 at 19:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Southampton Township, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Red Lion (JY73)

Coordinates

39.9044, -74.7491

Aircraft

Diamond DA20-C1

Registration

N208DB

Category

Airplane

Year built

2004

Engines

1

Operator

Freeflight Aviation LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Vincentown → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA24LA247

Nobody was injured.

The flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during a low approach and subsequent go-around in turbulent wind conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot receiving instruction and flight instructor were on an instructional flight. While on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern at a small private airport, the flight instructor reduced the engine power to simulate a loss of engine power. The pilot described that the wind was “howling” and that there were tall trees along the approach path to the runway. The flight instructor offered to demonstrate the simulated approach to landing and go-around. The flight instructor reported that during the approach there was some turbulence, and he was monitoring the airplane’s airspeed closely. After clearing the trees, while about 30 to 50ft above the runway, the airplane’s nose suddenly pitched down and the sink rate increased. He applied full power to go around but could not arrest the descent before drifting to the right of the runway and contacting the ground hard. The nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane’s engine mounts were substantially damaged. Both pilots reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.