“I Heard A Weird Noise Come From The Engine. I Saw My RPM Gauge Drop.”

Location: Smithfield, NC Accident Number: ERA22LA169
Date & Time: March 25, 2022, 16:13 Local Registration: N471BL
Aircraft: Diamond Aircraft Ind Inc DA 40 NG Injuries: 2 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

On March 25, 2022, about 1613 eastern daylight time, a Diamond DA-40NG, N471BL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Smithfield, North Carolina. The flight instructor and student pilot were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

According to the certificated flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot, they conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane with no anomalies noted before departing Johnston Regional Airport (JNX), Smithfield, North Carolina, on an instructional flight. Preliminary radar data tracked the airplane departing runway 21 and climbing to an altitude of about 650 ft, while making a left turn. The CFI stated, “I heard a weird noise come from the engine. I saw my RPM gauge drop.” The student pilot stated, “I noticed the sound but saw no annunciations [in the cockpit] indicating a malfunction.” Shortly after hearing the sound the CFI instructed the student pilot to turn back to the airport and while in the turn the engine lost total power. The CFI unsuccessfully attempted to restart the engine while the airplane descended; however, the airplane impacted trees about ¾ mile from the departure end of the runway. 

A post-accident examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, tail section, and both wings. Additionally, the engine was examined and a metal substance was noted in one of the cylinder valves. 

The wreckage was retained for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov