DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 20

LaGrange, GA — May 13, 2018

Event Information

DateMay 13, 2018
Event TypeACC
NTSB NumberGAA18CA282
Event ID20180517X95944
LocationLaGrange, GA
CountryUSA
Coordinates33.00917, -85.06973
AirportLAGRANGE-CALLAWAY
Highest InjuryNONE

Aircraft

MakeDIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC
ModelDA 20
CategoryAIR
FAR Part091
Aircraft DamageSUBS

Conditions

Light ConditionDAYL
WeatherVMC

Injuries

Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
None2
Total Injured0

Event Location

Probable Cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during a soft-field takeoff.

Full Narrative

The flight instructor reported that, during a soft field takeoff, the student kept the stick back and allowed the nose of the airplane to come up. The airplane drifted to the left and he reminded the student to apply right rudder and right aileron. He added that it seemed like the student applied too much right aileron and the right wing was close to dragging on the runway. The flight instructor prepared to take the flight controls and the student overcorrected to the left and the left wing impacted the ground. The flight instructor took control of the airplane, reduced power, and taxied to park without further incident.

The student pilot reported that, during a soft field takeoff, about 30 to 35 knots, the airplane lifted off the ground and encountered a crosswind that rolled the airplane to the right. The right wing dragged on the ground, he rolled the airplane to the left, and the left wing impacted the ground.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left aileron.

The chief flight instructor of the school reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

About This NTSB Record

This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.

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