Diamond DA-20-C1 accident near Peachtree City, Georgia, August 1, 2008
On August 1, 2008 at about 6:50 pm local time, a Diamond DA-20-C1, registered N227RD, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Peachtree City, Georgia. It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 1, 2008 · about 6:50 pm local time
- Place
- Peachtree City, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Diamond DA-20-C1
- Registration
- N227RD · registry record · serial C0009
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Maintenance was performed to the airplane's rudder system and the operator requested a test flight. During the test flight the pilot noted no discrepancies with the airplane until the downwind to base turn; the engine would not produce full power. The pilot elected to perform a forced landing in an open field prior to the runway to avoid impacting trees that were in the flight path to the threshold. The terrain was full of debris, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The wreckage examination revealed no discrepancies with the airplane's flight control systems. The examination discovered that a check valve from the engine mechanical fuel pump return hose line back to the fuel tank was installed incorrectly (backwards). The engine was test run with the check valve installed both correctly and incorrectly. During both test phases, the engine accelerated normally without any hesitation or interruption in power. No discrepancies were noted that would have prevented the engine from producing power for normal flight operations.
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 engine power (partial) during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 238 hours in all; 59 in this make and model
- Last flight review: December 17, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,807 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 16, 2008; 57 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,765 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Teledyne Continental Motors IO-240-B (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Falcon Aviation Academy
The flight
- Departed from: FFC Peachtree City GA at 6:45 pm
- Destination: FFC Peachtree City GA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,100 ft; a few clouds at 2,400 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from FFC, 1 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
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.