What happened
On May 21, 2022, at 10:26 UTC, a Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. DA20-C1, registration TC-AJC, was involved in an accident during a flight training maneuver at Istanbul Hezarfen Airport (LTBW). The flight, operated by Ayjet Anadolu Yıldızları Hava Taşımacılığı ve Uçuş Eğitim Hizmetleri A.Ş., was conducting takeoff and landing training under the control of an instructor pilot and a student pilot.
Following an initial landing on runway 05, the student pilot attempted a touch-and-go maneuver. During the subsequent takeoff roll, the aircraft failed to lift off the ground. The instructor pilot intervened to take control of the aircraft to initiate rotation; however, the aircraft entered a stall shortly after leaving the ground. The aircraft then veered to the left, struck the runway edge, breached the airport perimeter fencing, and crossed a nearby roadway before coming to rest in a field.
There were no fatalities or injuries among the two crew members.
The investigation
The UEİM investigation examined the flight records, maintenance logs, and pilot performance history. Analysis of the student pilot's previous training records revealed a pattern of instability during landings, difficulty maintaining centerline, and a tendency to rotate too early during touch-and-go exercises.
Investigators also reviewed the aircraft's maintenance status, finding that TC-AJC had been properly maintained with all required inspections and airworthiness directives up to date. The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the takeoff roll, specifically the configuration of the aircraft and the timing of the instructor's intervention.
Findings
- The student pilot failed to maintain a stable approach, arriving at a higher altitude than normal and touching down further down the runway than required.
- During the touch-and-go, the aircraft was operated in an incorrect configuration with flaps retracted.
- The instructor pilot failed to intervene in a timely manner to correct the student's errors during the takeoff roll.
- The aircraft experienced a stall due to the improper flap setting and improper rotation technique, leading to the loss of control and subsequent excursion.
- The aircraft sustained total loss (tam hasar) due to structural damage to the wings, fuselage, tail, and landing gear, rendering it unrepairable.