Diamond DA40 F N419FP

Summary

On 18 July 2016 at about 17:05 local time, a Diamond DA40 F registered N419FP, operated by Utah State University, was involved in an accident near Logan, Utah, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 July 2016 at 17:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Logan, Utah, United States

Coordinates

41.5975, -111.8478

Aircraft

Diamond DA40 F

Registration

N419FP

Category

Airplane

Year built

2006

Engines

1

Operator

Utah State University

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Logan → Logan

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR16FA144

1 person died.

The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering in turbulence and gusty wind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot was practicing flight maneuvers required to obtain a commercial pilot certificate during daytime visual flight rules weather conditions. A witness saw the airplane flying in slow counterclockwise circles while descending with the engine power at idle. He reported strong gusting winds at the time. Radar data showed the airplane completing four counterclockwise orbits and then beginning a descending clockwise orbit. The last two data points indicate a rapid, vertical descent greater than 6,000 ft per minute. Wreckage and impact signatures revealed that the airplane impacted the ground in a nose-low, near-vertical attitude with little to no forward movement, consistent with an aerodynamic stall/spin. Examination of the airframe and engine found no abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation. Weather conditions in the accident area included strong gusty winds, low-level wind shear, clear air turbulence near the terrain, and possible mountain wave activity at mountain top level. The weather information that the pilot obtained before departure indicated wind at 6 knots and no gusts. No records were located to indicate that the pilot had obtained an official weather briefing before departure, thus he may not have been aware of the gusting winds and the potential for low-level wind shear and turbulence which could have contributed to his failure to maintain aircraft control. The radar data, the witness's description, and the damage to the airplane are consistent with the pilot exceeding the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering, resulting in the airplane entering an aerodynamic stall with a subsequent spin and descent to ground impact.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.