Diamond Aircraft Ind INC DA42 accident near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, September 28, 2008
On September 28, 2008 at about 10:00 pm local time, a Diamond Aircraft Ind INC DA42, registered N482TS, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Lancaster, Pennsylvania (Lancaster Airport). It was a positioning 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 flare which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the accident airplane make and model.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 28, 2008 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Lancaster, Pennsylvania · Lancaster Airport · 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 DA42
- Registration
- N482TS · registry record · serial 42.AC082
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was making his first flight in the accident airplane make and model. During the landing the airplane bounced, floated, and landed again. The nose gear collapsed and the airplane came to a stop on the runway. He added that the landing was not rough or hard. Inspection of the airplane revealed evidence of a hard landing; the left main landing gear was twisted and the gear strut had bottomed out. The nose gear was in the extended position; however it was forced up through the top of the gear well, damaging the surrounding structure. The wind at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, was 330 degrees at 4 knots.
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
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- factor Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience w/ equipment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Nose/tail gear attach section › Capability exceeded
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 741 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 114 in the last 90 days; 55 in the last 30 days; 619 as pilot in command; 102 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 14, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,070 hours in all; 70 in this make and model
- Last flight review: November 11, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Crew member
No details recorded.
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 229 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 12, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 3,935 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Onyx Acquisitions LLC
The flight
- Departed from: JYO Leesburg VA at 9:00 pm
- Destination: LNS Lancaster PA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 31, 4,102 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,600 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from KLNS
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.