Pilot Debrief

DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 40 NG near Smithfield, NC — 2022-03-25

Final reportERA22LA169
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Date
2022-03-25
Location
Smithfield, NC, USA
Airport
JNX
Aircraft
DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 40 NG
Registration
N471BL
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

Maintenance personnel’s failure to set the correct engine timing after the replacement of a cylinder head and exhaust camshaft before the accident flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

According to the flight instructor, shortly after takeoff, she heard a “weird” noise coming from the engine and noted a drop in engine rpm. The flight instructor directed the pilot receiving instruction to turn back toward the airport; however, the engine lost all power, and the airplane impacted trees about 1 mile from the departure end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the engine valvetrain was not timed correctly and that the misalignment resulted in a piston striking a valve. The valve head had separated and fallen into the cylinder, resulting in the total loss of engine power. Examination of the maintenance logbooks revealed that the cylinder head and exhaust camshaft had been replaced the day before the accident flight. Thus, it is likely that the engine’s timing was not set correctly after this maintenance.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • FDR / data
  • Photos
  • 10 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents10

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