Pilot Debrief

DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 20 C1 near Sylacauga, AL — 2015-04-27

Final reportERA15LA200
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Date
2015-04-27
Location
Sylacauga, AL, USA
Airport
SCD
Aircraft
DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 20 C1
Registration
N248ME
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power due to the failure of the throttle body/fuel metering unit to provide the engine with adequate fuel pressure for full power operation.

NTSB narrative

During the return leg of a student pilot's solo cross-country flight, the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power after reaching an altitude of about 300 ft above ground level. After checking the mixture, fuel pump, and throttle, the student pilot consulted via radio with his flight instructor, who told him to return to the airport. The student pilot attempted to execute an emergency landing at the airport but was too high at the mid-field point of the runway during final approach. He applied full throttle and attempted to go around but received a stall warning and performed a forced landing past the runway in a grassy area, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. Postaccident test runs of the engine revealed that the throttle body/fuel metering unit failed to provide adequate fuel pressure to allow the engine to operate at full power. Detailed examination of the throttle body/fuel metering unit was unable to determine why the unit was unable to provide adequate fuel pressure to the engine. Although evidence of nicks, burs, and raised areas along the shaft and aggressive cleaning were found, the extent to which they may have contributed to the unit's inability to provide adequate fuel pressure to the engine could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Student pilot could have aborted takeoff upon engine issues at 300 ft agl.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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