Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in a left quartering headwind, which resulted in a ground loop.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that, during landing, shortly after touchdown, a "crosswind…lifted the left wing," and the airplane "fishtailed." He said he and the instructor corrected by applying right aileron, but the airplane ground looped, and the right main landing gear collapsed.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower right section of the fuselage.
The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 30 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 130° at 8 knots and that, about 15 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 100º at 9 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 16R.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA474 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 18, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Van Nuys, California
- Nearest airport
- Van Nuys (VNY)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Diamond DA20
- N-number
- N309EF
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2004
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
Other records under this N-number
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.