Pilot Debrief

Diamond Aicraft Industries Inc DA 20-C1 near Odessa, TX — 2013-06-27

Final reportCEN13LA380
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Date
2013-06-27
Location
Odessa, TX, USA
Airport
ODO
Aircraft
Diamond Aicraft Industries Inc DA 20-C1
Registration
N322FS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's use of an improper flap setting and a subsequent inadequate flare of the airplane, which resulted in a bounced landing, and the pilot's delay in executing a go-around.

NTSB narrative

During the 4-mile final leg for landing in night visual meteorological conditions, the pilot set the flaps at 15 degrees for the approach and landing. According to the manufacturer's flight information manual, the flap position for landing is 45 degrees. The pilot stated that she kept the airplane speed "up" so that the airplane would not lose too much altitude and that, although the approach was a "little low," it was still within limits. The airplane touched down on the runway and bounced three times before the pilot increased engine power to perform a go-around. As the engine power increased, the airplane nosed down and contacted the runway, damaging the nosewheel and firewall. The pilot's use of partial flaps at a low altitude with a high approach speed resulted in more energy than a typical landing approach and the pilot was unable to arrest the descent rate before impact. Although high wind conditions and gusts prevailed at the time of the accident, the wind was within the manufacturer's maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity for the airplane.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have opted for a go-around earlier during the landing sequence.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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