Diamond DA40 N420NG accident near Tavernier, Florida

Probable cause

The pilot's delayed decision to go around in high-temperature and high-density altitude conditions and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, during landing on a 2,175-ft-long grass runway, the airplane ballooned. He pushed the nose down, but the airplane floated and touched down about midfield. He added that he "briefly touched the brakes" but decided to go around. He added that he raised the flaps to the takeoff position and added full power, but "the delay of power in the diesel and high temperature did not allow for enough climb performance." The left wing aerodynamically stalled, and the airplane impacted vegetation.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The pilot reported that the wind was light and variable, the temperature was 32°C (90°F), and the density altitude was 2,000 ft.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA431 for the full record.