Diamond DA20 accident near Fort Wayne, Indiana, September 20, 2019
On September 20, 2019 at about 11:30 pm local time, a 2004 Diamond DA20, registered N212DX, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Fort Wayne, Indiana (Smith Field). It was a personal 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 pilot's improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and impact with a tree during an off-airport landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 20, 2019 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Fort Wayne, Indiana · Smith Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Diamond DA20 C1, built 2004
- Registration
- N212DX · no longer on the register · serial C0275
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, while conducting the preflight inspection for the first flight of the day, the fuel was at the bottom of the 1/2 mark on the wood dipstick, and the gauge also reflected the same fuel level. He added that, before taking off for the accident flight, which was the fourth flight that day, he checked the fuel gauge, and it was showing right above 1/4 tank. The pilot reported that, while on approach to land, the engine sputtered and lost all power. He retracted the flaps to extend the glide distance, but the airplane was unable to reach the runway. He then conducted an off-airport landing on a service road. Upon landing, the airplane veered left and impacted a tree. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, left wing, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administrator inspector who examined the airplane reported that only about 16 ounces of fuel were drained from the fuel system, and no fuel leaks were found.
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
- Fuel exhaustion during approach
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid level
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Effect on operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Fuel planning › Pilot
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Inadequate inspection
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 60 hours in all; 59 in this make and model; 36 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 19 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 14, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,214 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-240 SER (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SMD Fort Wayne IN at 11:05 pm
- Destination: SMD Fort Wayne IN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 3,126 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 6,500 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 11:35 pm from KGWB, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on December 5, 2019. 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 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of E-mail Correspondence (FAA) | PDF, 1 page | 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.