DA40NG N907L forced landing on a highway

[Airmotive]

Hello folks. New here but familiar with the investigation process.

Understand that, per ICAO Annex 13, the NTSB operates under the “party system”. Typically, during an investigation, the airframe manufacturer and engine manufacturer are made party to the investigation (along with the FAA and any other organization that the Investigator In Charge (IIC) deems as being able to contribute to the investigation).

That said, party members are forbidden from disclosing *any* information uncovered during the investigation. Only the IIC can make any public statements regarding information found during the investigation. This is why you won’t hear any statements coming from either the aircraft or engine manufacturers.

That said, the latest NG power loss most likely doesn’t fall under Annex 13 (unless the IIC decides it is relevant and wants to make it part of the earlier event).

So the point being, there’s not a cover-up by the manufacturers. The NTSB has released their preliminary report. Con rod through the engine. I’m sure the NTSB has the full support of the engine manufacturer.

[Boatguy]

So the point being, there’s not a cover-up by the manufacturers. The NTSB has released their preliminary report. Con rod through the engine. I’m sure the NTSB has the full support of the engine manufacturer.

I don't think we called the deafening silence a coverup, as much as a lack of transparency. This is particularly the case because so few of the Austro engine failures end up as an "accident" or "incident" and thus don't make it into the NTSB database and presumably are not governed by the process you describe.

I might also be tempted to argue that the ICAO "party" rules shouldn't apply after the report is issued, unless the goal is to protect the manufacturers and provide them with "deniability" about their lack of transparency.

[Airmotive]

After the *final* report is issued, ICAO Annex 13 is no longer on the table. That will be in a year or two. Until then, all party members are subject to the 13 page NDA that comes with being party to the investigation.

[YokotaFTC]

Well this is concerning. We took delivery of our NGs in October, s/n 254/251, just 3 hrs on the tachs...have only run engines once thus far, not airborne as we are still waiting on maintenance equipment (brake servicing kit from beringer and pitot/static adapters). Will be keeping close eye on this thread.

[A Dopo]

Not sure if this has been posted of not. Question: Did connecting rod failure cause the accident or is it a result of loss of oil pressure?

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/ ... 193528/pdf

Aviation Investigation Preliminary Report
Location: Asheville, NC Accident Number: ERA24LA066
Date & Time: December 14, 2023, 20:15 Local Registration: N907L
Aircraft: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA
40 NG Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

On December 14, 2023, at 2015 eastern standard time, a Diamond Aircraft Ind. Inc. DA-40 NG
airplane, N907L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near
Asheville, North Carolina. The flight instructor sustained minor injuries and the private pilot
was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part
91 instructional flight.

The flight instructor and private pilot were conducting a cross-country flight at night when they
felt a “shudder” followed by a loss of engine power. The loss of power was accompanied by a
loss of oil pressure and dual engine control unit (ECU) failure. The flight instructor took control
of the airplane and used the checklist to restart the (diesel) engine. The engine restarted
momentarily but again lost power shortly after. The flight instructor was able to restart the
engine again, but the cockpit began to fill with smoke before the engine lost power a final time.
The flight instructor then made a forced landing to an interstate. Just prior to landing, the
airplane struck an energized power line, and the airplane impacted the ground and caught fire.

The airplane wreckage was recovered to a secure facility for further examination. At the time
the airplane was recovered, a connecting rod was observed separated from the engine.

The airplane received its airworthiness certificate on September 25, 2023, and it’s last 100-hr
maintenance inspection was completed on December 9, 2023. At that time, the airplane and
engine had accrued a total of 95 flight hours.

Page 2 of 2 ERA24LA066
This information is preliminary and subject to change.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND
INC
Registration: N907L
Model/Series: DA 40 NG Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator: Lift Academy Operating Certificate(s)
Held:
Pilot school (141)
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: KAVL,2163 ft msl Observation Time: 20:54 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles Temperature/Dew Point: 2°C /-4°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots / , 210°
Lowest Ceiling: Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.59 inches Hg Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Departure Point: Knoxville, TN (DKX) Destination: Myrtle Beach, SC (MYR)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries: Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor Latitude, Longitude: 35.436113,-82.542047 (est)
Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Read, Leah
Additional Participating Persons: Delbert Areford; FAA/FSDO; Charlotte , NC
Investigation Class: Class 3
Note: The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident

[A Dopo]

Regarding the 3% failure rate. We are headed to NZ on a Ponant cruise and then to Australia, Hamilton Island, etc to the Great Barrier Reef. I've been reading about this irukandji. I wonder what the chance is of being stung by one of these? I hope it is less than 3%.

We have N035, and so far have been able to avoid any recalls etc, and I still feel really safe. But failures like this are a concern.

BTW aren't there some NZ or Australian members on here? Up for a flight?

[drmiller]

I've got a DA40 NG (a Tundra Star) on order, delivery in Feb, 20% down payment made. Wondering if I should insist on a hold until possible engine problem is resolved? Or some guarantee that since engine problem "semi-known" that contract be revised to make Diamond liable for costs of fix/replacement?

[chili4way]

The loss of power was accompanied by a loss of oil pressure and dual engine control unit (ECU) failure.

A better phrasing would have been "loss of oil pressure and a dual engine control unit (ECU) fail caution annunciation."

The current version suggests that the ECUs themselves failed when it's far more likely the ECUs were annunciating the oil pressure problem. As noted elsewhere, the "ECU Fail" caution is more like a "check engine" light. This is also described in the DA40NG AFM on page 4B-13.

"An ECU FAIL caution is caused by various types of malfunctions. These include internal ECU problems, sensor failure or insufficient performance of air-, fuel- or electrical. supply system (e.g. air filter icing)."

The ECU system monitors both oil temperature and oil pressure. [see page 7-9 of the Austro E4 Operations Manual.]