Diamond Aircraft Ind INC DA 20 C1 accident near Hoopa, California, July 18, 2014
On July 18, 2014 at about 9:30 pm local time, a 2000 Diamond Aircraft Ind INC DA 20 C1, registered N528DC, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Hoopa, California (Hoopa airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate approach and excessive airspeed which resulted in a long landing and subsequent runway overrun onto rough terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 18, 2014 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Hoopa, California · Hoopa · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Diamond Aircraft Ind INC DA 20 C1 C1, built 2000
- Registration
- N528DC · registry record · serial C0128
- 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 during the approach to landing to an airport located within a canyon, the airplane was high and fast. The pilot slipped the airplane, however the airspeed remained above the desirable 60 knots. The airplane "floated down the runway" and touched down further than normal. The airplane subsequently overran the departure end of the runway onto rough terrain which resulted in substantial damage to the wings, empennage and fuselage. The pilot added that there was no possibility of a go-around due to the airport's location in the canyon. The pilot reported 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
- Landing area overshoot during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 822 hours in all; 584 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 685 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 824 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 8, 2014; 12 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,720 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors IO-240 (piston); 824 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3S8 Grants Pass OR at 8:30 pm
- Destination: PAO Palo Alto CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 2,325 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,000 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from KACV, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on September 15, 2014. 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 | Pilot Statement Regarding 6120 Signature and Date on Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo 1 - Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of Local Law Enforcement) | 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.