Pilot Debrief

Diamond DA20 near Van Nuys, CA — 2018-07-18

Final reportGAA18CA474
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Date
2018-07-18
Location
Van Nuys, CA, USA
Airport
VNY
Aircraft
Diamond DA20
Registration
N309EF
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in a left quartering headwind, which resulted in a ground loop.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that, during landing, shortly after touchdown, a "crosswind…lifted the left wing," and the airplane "fishtailed." He said he and the instructor corrected by applying right aileron, but the airplane ground looped, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower right section of the fuselage. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 30 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 130° at 8 knots and that, about 15 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 100º at 9 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 16R.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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