Probable cause
The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that the accident flight was his second flight in the airplane. While landing on runway 5, the airplane "touched down and then ballooned up." The pilot applied full power to execute a go-around, but the airplane "sank" and contacted the ground. The airplane's nose landing gear collapsed and the engine firewall sustained substantial damage. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane after the accident reported no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10CA196 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 27, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Chesapeake, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Chesapeake Regional (CPK)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Diamond DA20
- N-number
- N552MA
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.