Pilot Debrief

Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 20 near Key West, FL — 2008-03-01

Final reportNYC08LA116
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Date
2008-03-01
Location
Key West, FL, USA
Aircraft
Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 20
Registration
N859MS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

After maneuvering in the local area for approximately 15 minutes, the pilot initiated a descent, at idle power, to return to the airport. As he leveled the airplane in the traffic pattern (over water), he advanced the throttle to increase power; however, the engine did not respond. The pilot attempted, unsuccessfully, to restart the engine, and then prepared for a forced landing to the water, approximately 6 miles off shore. After the airplane came to rest, the pilot egressed and entered the life raft he had in the airplane. The airplane sank after about 5 minutes and was not recovered. The pilot purchased the airplane new approximately 2 years prior to the accident and no recent maintenance had been performed. Fuel records indicated the airplane was last refueled approximately 1 month prior with 13.8 gallons of fuel. According to the pilot, he last flew the airplane approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to the accident, and prior to the accident flight, he departed with "just under full fuel," approximately 20 gallons.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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