Aviation Consumer DA40 Update
Moderators: Rick, Lance Murray
- Rich
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Aviation Consumer DA40 Update
The current AC issue is proposing an update to DA40 stuff so I sent a submission. I pointed out that there are four obvious major variants (and several subspecies) of the bird, so it’s an elusive topic. Sort of like the three blind men and the elephant, if you recall the reference. There are notable differences to consider for these categories. My detailed response, however, is limited to my own variant and experience.
I also parenthetically pointed out that they have previously failed to navigate imperfections in the search interfaces and data dirtiness of the NTSB accident databases that have historically caused errors in their reporting of these statistics. To date there are eight documented DA40 fatal accidents in the US (one this year). Dealing with these tools is now complicated by the fact that the data for all accidents is bifurcated by year, so a full picture requires navigating two different systems. The dividing line for the data is calendar year and just for fun, uses a different inquiry tool for each data set. I, being of superior intellect, have divined how to navigate each of the two, including cool hacks for the older one .
I also parenthetically pointed out that they have previously failed to navigate imperfections in the search interfaces and data dirtiness of the NTSB accident databases that have historically caused errors in their reporting of these statistics. To date there are eight documented DA40 fatal accidents in the US (one this year). Dealing with these tools is now complicated by the fact that the data for all accidents is bifurcated by year, so a full picture requires navigating two different systems. The dividing line for the data is calendar year and just for fun, uses a different inquiry tool for each data set. I, being of superior intellect, have divined how to navigate each of the two, including cool hacks for the older one .
- Paul
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Re: Aviation Consumer DA40 Update
Do tell. Also, can you post a link to the DA40 accident from this year? I have not seen that one.
- Rich
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Re: Aviation Consumer DA40 Update
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
- Boatguy
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Re: Aviation Consumer DA40 Update
Stall/spin from 4,000AGL is pretty extreme for any airplane. Is there any further information on this accident?
- Rich
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Re: Aviation Consumer DA40 Update
Very little. ASN, Kathryn’s Report, and Flight Aware provide a bit more detail. It looks like ordinary stall practice that might have been taken to an extreme. But it’ll be many months before we get the rest of the story.
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
- Lance Murray
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- rwtucker
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Re: Aviation Consumer DA40 Update
Agreed on the database. Looks like it was coded up decades ago by a COBOL person.
Do you know if any of the fatal accidents involved fire? I heard a report of some DA40's or maybe 20's used in flight schools burning to the ground on the tarmac but not in flight. After landing? Before takeoff?
- Rich
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Re: Aviation Consumer DA40 Update
There was a small brush fire after the fatal DA40 crash in Mississippi, but none of the others has. I know of a brake-induced fire on the ground, but no real accident there. I seem to recall a long-ago fatal DA20 crash where there was a "real" fire after impact.rwtucker wrote: ↑Thu Oct 21, 2021 5:54 pmAgreed on the database. Looks like it was coded up decades ago by a COBOL person.
Do you know if any of the fatal accidents involved fire? I heard a report of some DA40's or maybe 20's used in flight schools burning to the ground on the tarmac but not in flight. After landing? Before takeoff?
The "old" NTSB database clearly uses some dialect of SQL as a query language, but it's hard to say whether or not it's embedded in COBOL. The underlying database platform could be Oracle, DB2, or some other brand repository.
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
- Rich
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Woo Hoo! I'm published
The article is in the current issue and they used my response and picture. It's pretty accurate, though again they under-counted accidents. I sent them instructions on how to use the CAROL tool. To be fair, sometime recently (I don't know how recent) the CAROL database was populated further back - to at least 1999). The 23 accidents cited should really be 47 (8 fatal).
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
- jwx96
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Re: Aviation Consumer DA40 Update
Rich, it was nice to see your comments and photo in the Aviation Consumer article. I agree that Diamond’s placement of all the technical publications on it’s website is unique and tremendously helpful. I also have a conventional panel, and use an iPad mini and mount it to my left side with a suction cup on the canopy. I am intrigued by the mounting of your iPad. I don’t have the 3-D perspective so I have to ask is your view or reach to the engine controls compromised? Thanks.