Diamond Aircraft Ind INC DA 20-C1 accident near Bern, Wisconsin, November 24, 2011
On November 24, 2011 at about 4:50 am local time, a Diamond Aircraft Ind INC DA 20-C1, registered N203MK, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (descent) near Bern, Wisconsin. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The non-instrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent impact with the terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 24, 2011 · about 4:50 am local time
- Place
- Bern, Wisconsin · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Diamond Aircraft Ind INC DA 20-C1
- Registration
- N203MK · registry record · serial C0403
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The non-instrument-rated pilot checked the weather prior to the night cross-country flight. Two other pilots, who individually discussed the weather conditions with the pilot, reported that the weather appeared to be deteriorating for his intended route of flight. The accident pilot stated to the other pilots that he would "scud run," or fly below the weather, if he had to. Weather conditions at the departure airport were clear, but deteriorated to instrument meteorological conditions along the route of flight. Based on the weather information, the pilot likely flew into an area of instrument meteorological conditions and lost control. The airplane impacted trees and terrain about 22 miles from the destination airport. Conditions at the destination airport, which was the nearest weather observation station, around the time of the accident included 3-mile visibility with mist and an overcast ceiling at 500 feet. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were identified that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during enroute (descent) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during enroute (descent)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Low ceiling › Decision related to condition
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 176 hours in all; 96 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 81 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 2, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,107 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, November 16, 2011; 15 hours since
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor IO-240-B (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: North Star Aviation INC
The flight
- Departed from: MKT Mankato MN at 3:30 am
- Destination: RRL Merrill WI
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 500 ft
- Temperature: 36°F (2°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 4:55 am from RRL, 22 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.