Diamond Aircraft Ind INC DA20-C1 accident near Southampton Township, New Jersey, June 5, 2024
On June 5, 2024 at about 7:40 pm local time, a 2004 Diamond Aircraft Ind INC DA20-C1, registered N208DB, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Southampton Township, New Jersey (Red Lion 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).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during a low approach and subsequent go-around in turbulent wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 5, 2024 · about 7:40 pm local time
- Place
- Southampton Township, New Jersey · Red Lion · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Diamond Aircraft Ind INC DA20-C1 C1, built 2004
- Registration
- N208DB · no longer on the register · serial C0259
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot receiving instruction and flight instructor were on an instructional flight. While on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern at a small private airport, the flight instructor reduced the engine power to simulate a loss of engine power. The pilot described that the wind was “howling” and that there were tall trees along the approach path to the runway. The flight instructor offered to demonstrate the simulated approach to landing and go-around. The flight instructor reported that during the approach there was some turbulence, and he was monitoring the airplane’s airspeed closely. After clearing the trees, while about 30 to 50ft above the runway, the airplane’s nose suddenly pitched down and the sink rate increased. He applied full power to go around but could not arrest the descent before drifting to the right of the runway and contacting the ground hard. The nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane’s engine mounts were substantially damaged. Both pilots reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Simulated/training event during approach
- Turbulence encounter during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Instructor/check pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Turbulence › Terrain induced turbulence › Response/compensation
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,805 hours in all; 347 in this make and model; 55.5 in the last 90 days; 26.1 in the last 30 days; 5,706 as pilot in command; 3,620 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 28, 2023
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot, flight engineer, military
- Ratings: multi-engine sea; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,579 hours in all; 3.9 in this make and model; 3.9 in the last 90 days; 3.9 in the last 30 days; 5,956 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 5, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,270.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 13, 2023; 65.4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,770 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Aerospace IO-240-B (piston); 1,869 hours total
- Operator: Freeflight Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: N14 Vincentown NJ at 7:10 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 2,880 ft by 50 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 12,000 ft; a few clouds at 3,400 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 3:54 pm from VAY, 5 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KVAY 051954Z AUTO 17008KT 150V210 10SM FEW034 BKN120 27/19 A2982 RMK AO2 SLP098 T02720194 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Photographs from the investigation 1 picture from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on August 30, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Instructor) | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Pilot Receiving Instruction) | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Interview Summary - Flight Instructor | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Interview Summary - Pilot Receiving Instruction | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.