Pilot Debrief

DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA20-C1 near Longmont, CO — 2014-06-01

Final reportCEN14LA267
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Date
2014-06-01
Location
Longmont, CO, USA
Airport
KLMO
Aircraft
DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA20-C1
Registration
N206ND
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the engine lost all power after the airplane took off and climbed to about 400 feet. He then made a forced landing to a field adjacent to the airport. The airplane struck the ground nose first and skidded about 150 feet before coming to a stop; the nose gear was sheared off. During a postaccident examination of the airplane, only a few drops of fuel were recovered from the wing and gascolator fuel drains; no fuel could be seen in either tank. The pilot noted that fuel had been leaking from the tanks for three days before the examination. However, even if minimal fuel had been present during the accident flight, more than a few drops should have drained out of the gascolator drain. Had the pilot done a thorough preflight inspection, he should have noted the lack of fuel in the tanks.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels before takeoff to ensure adequate fuel.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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