Wind Gusts Increased To About 60 Knots. The Airplane’s Left Wing Lifted, And The Airplane Rolled To The Right

Location: Orlando, FL Accident Number: ERA22LA395
Date & Time: September 1, 2022, 17:00 Local Registration: N43RG
Aircraft: Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 42 Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

On September 1, 2022, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 42 NG, N43RG, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Orlando, Florida. The private pilot was fatally injured, and a flight instructor was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

The local, instructional flight was to originate at Orlando Executive Airport (ORL), Orlando, Florida. The flight instructor reported that he and his student checked the weather and determined that there was a small area of precipitation, about 2 nm wide, over Orlando International Airport (MCO), which was slow moving, and would be in the vicinity of ORL after their departure. The flight taxied to runway 7 and performed pre-takeoff checks at taxiway A7. During this time, the weather deteriorated, with wind gusting to 40 knots and visibility dropping to zero. They elected to hold in place rather than attempt to taxi back to the ramp. Shortly thereafter, the wind gusts increased to about 60 knots. The airplane’s left wing lifted, and the airplane rolled to the right. The flight instructor attempted to shut down the engines, and the airplane rolled over, inverted.

An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. Structural damage was noted on both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov