Diamond DA20
Terre Haute, IN — June 7, 2019
Event Information
| Date | June 7, 2019 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA19CA330 |
| Event ID | 20190607X82851 |
| Location | Terre Haute, IN |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 39.44584, -87.31722 |
| Airport | TERRE HAUTE RGNL |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Diamond |
| Model | DA20 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading and to relinquish the flight controls to the flight instructor when told to do so while landing in gusting, crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with runway lighting.
Full Narrative
The flight instructor reported that, while the student pilot was practicing crosswind landings with the instructor shadowing on the flight controls, he emphasized the importance of maintaining crosswind correction and suggested beginning the landing flare closer to the runway. The student flared too early and ballooned. The airplane drifted left in a "nose high, low airspeed situation." The instructor called for a go around and attempted to take control. The student maintained a "very strong grip" on the control stick, and the instructor was unable to make any significant control inputs. The airplane landed and skid off the left side of the runway and impacted runway lights.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.
The flight instructor 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 8 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 080° at 11 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The student pilot landed the airplane on runway 05.
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.