7 Jun 2019: Diamond DA20 C1 — Indiana State University

7 Jun 2019: Diamond DA20 C1 — Indiana State University

No fatalities • Terre Haute, IN, United States

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.

— NTSB Determination

Accident 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.

Contributing factors

  • cause Student/instructed pilot
  • cause Student/instructed pilot
  • cause Heading/course — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Effect on operation
  • Effect on operation
  • Effect on operation

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 080/11kt, vis 10sm

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