What happened
On July 4, 2019, a Diamond DA40, registration N420NG, was attempting to land on a 2,175-foot grass runway in Tavernier, Florida. During the landing sequence, the aircraft ballooned. The pilot attempted to correct the nose position, but the airplane floated and touched down near the middle of the runway. After briefly applying the brakes, the pilot decided to execute a go-around.
To initiate the go-around, the pilot moved the flaps to the takeoff position and applied full power. However, due to the high temperature of 32°C (90°F) and the resulting high density altitude, the diesel engine's power delivery was delayed, preventing sufficient climb performance. Consequently, the left wing reached a critical angle of attack and stalled, causing the aircraft to impact vegetation. There were no injuries resulting from the accident.
The investigation
The investigation confirmed that the aircraft sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions prior to the accident that would have prevented normal operation. Weather conditions at the time were VMC with a visibility of 10 statute miles and winds from 090 degrees at 8 knots.