Diamond Aircraft DA 40 accident near Portsmouth, New Hampshire, January 3, 2021
On January 3, 2021 at about 4:18 pm local time, a 2004 Diamond Aircraft DA 40, registered N489RS, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi (to runway) near Portsmouth, New Hampshire (Portsmouth International airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The instructor’s multiple applications of the airplane’s brakes during high-speed taxi over a short duration, which overheated and ignited the right main landing gear wheel brake assembly.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 3, 2021 · about 4:18 pm local time
- Place
- Portsmouth, New Hampshire · Portsmouth International · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Diamond Aircraft DA 40, built 2004 · all DA 40s on the register
- Registration
- N489RS · registry record · serial 40.379
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After landing, the flight instructor assumed control of the airplane during the roll, taxied to the hold-short line at the approach end of the runway, and waited for landing traffic. Soon after, the pilot of the landing airplane announced over the tower radio frequency that the airplane holding short was “on fire.” The instructor confirmed that smoke was rising from beneath the right wing and both he and the pilot receiving instruction egressed the airplane without injury. Examination of video revealed fire emanating from the right main landing gear wheel and brake assembly, wheel pant, and involved the right wing, which was substantially damaged. Data downloaded from the airplane’s multifunction display revealed high groundspeeds during taxi after landing, and rapid decelerations consistent with hard braking actions before the airplane reached the hold short line. Postaccident examination revealed normal wear of the brake pads and no pre-accident mechanical anomalies. Examination of the fuel cell directly above the right main landing gear wheel and brake assembly revealed that it was intact with no leaks and contained about 15 gallons of fuel. Based on the available evidence, it is likely that the instructor’s high taxi speeds, which required multiple brake applications, resulted in the right brake assembly overheating and catching fire.
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
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during taxi (to runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear brakes system › Incorrect use/operation
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,509 hours in all; 32.6 in this make and model; 72.2 in the last 90 days; 7.5 in the last 30 days; 5,970 as pilot in command; 5,965.4 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 375 hours in all; 1 in this make and model
- Last flight review: October 29, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,149.9 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 30, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 2,535 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming I0360 MIA (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: BVY Beverly MA at 4:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 11,322 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 32°F (0°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 11:26 am from KPSM
Weather report (METAR): KPSM 031626Z 02005KT 10SM OVC022 00/M04 A3018 RMK AO2A SLP224
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA21LA099.