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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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May 22, 2013 · Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 20-C1 · N571MA

Englewood, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 22, 2013
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Englewood, CO
Aircraft
Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 20-C1
Tail Number
N571MA
Operator
5280 Flying Club
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN13LA291

While on final approach during an instructional flight, the engine became unresponsive to throttle movements. The flight instructor took control of the airplane from the student pilot and made a forced landing, during which the airplane rolled onto soft ground and nosed over to an inverted position. Engine examination revealed that the engine throttle lever and throttle cable had become disconnected and that the bolt connecting these two components was located at the bottom of the engine cowling. A self-locking nut, which normally secures this bolt, was missing and not located. Therefore, it is likely that maintenance personnel did not apply sufficient torque to the nut or improperly reused a degraded self-locking nut, which resulted in the eventual loosening of the nut and the in-flight separation of the engine throttle lever and throttle cable.

NTSB Probable Cause

The in-flight separation of the engine throttle lever and throttle cable due to maintenance personnel not applying sufficient torque to the self-locking nut or improperly reusing a degraded self-locking nut.

Full Narrative

On May 22, 2013, about 1730 mountain daylight time, a Diamond DA-20-C1 airplane, N571MA, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at Centennial Airport (KAPA), Englewood, Colorado. The flight instructor and student pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to 5280 Flying Club LLC and operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight instructor stated that the student pilot was flying a visual approach to a full stop landing at KAPA. While on final approach, the engine became unresponsive to throttle movement. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and attempted to restart the engine. With no increase in engine power, a forced landing was made and the airplane touched down just short of the runway threshold. After touchdown, the airplane rolled onto soft terrain and nosed over to an inverted position. During the engine examination, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel discovered that the engine throttle lever and throttle cable were disconnected. The bolt normally connecting these two components was located at the bottom of the engine cowling. A self-locking nut (Diamond part number MS21042-3), which normally secures this bolt, was missing and not located. No other anomalies were noticed with the engine. FAA review of airplane records indicated that the engine was removed and re-installed on March 15, 2013 to facilitate the repair of a loose crankcase stud. The airplane flew 100.1 hours after engine re-installation until the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 MDT
Nearest AirportCentennial Airport (1nm)
Runway17R
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width77 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDiamond Aircraft Ind DA 20-C1
Tail NumberN571MA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operator5280 Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · IO-240-B · Reciprocating · 125
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class · Minor
Crew 2Age 21 · None · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point34 C
Altimeter29.92 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data