Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary NYC04CA085

Bardstown, KY, USA

Aircraft #1

N316MA

Diamond Aircraft Industries DA-40

Analysis

The pilot circled the field twice and then prepared for a landing to the south, with full flaps. He flew as close as possible to the trees during the final approach and then performed a "slip" to lose altitude. As the airplane touched down half-way down the 2,500 foot-long turf runway, the pilot retracted the flaps and applied maximum braking. The pilot stated that he "lost directional control" during the landing rollout, the airplane ran off the left side of the runway, and spun 180-degrees. During the runway excursion, the airplane impacted a knoll, which substantially damaged both wings. The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.

Factual Information

On March 10, 2004, at 1145 eastern standard time, a Diamond DA-40, N316MA, was substantially damaged during landing at a private field about 5 miles northeast of Bardstown, Kentucky. The certificated airline transport pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he circled the field twice and then prepared for a landing to the south, with full flaps. The pilot flew as close as possible to the trees during the final approach and then performed a "slip" to loose altitude. As the airplane touched down half-way down the 2,500 foot-long turf runway, the pilot retracted the flaps and applied maximum braking. The pilot stated that he "lost directional control" during the landing rollout, the airplane ran off the left side of the runway, and spun 180-degrees. During the runway excursion, the airplane impacted a knoll, which substantially damaged both wings. The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and his failure to maintain directional control during landing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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