Diamond DA-20-C1 N227RD accident near Peachtree City, Georgia

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB analysis

Maintenance was performed to the airplane's rudder system and the operator requested a test flight. During the test flight the pilot noted no discrepancies with the airplane until the downwind to base turn; the engine would not produce full power. The pilot elected to perform a forced landing in an open field prior to the runway to avoid impacting trees that were in the flight path to the threshold. The terrain was full of debris, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The wreckage examination revealed no discrepancies with the airplane's flight control systems. The examination discovered that a check valve from the engine mechanical fuel pump return hose line back to the fuel tank was installed incorrectly (backwards). The engine was test run with the check valve installed both correctly and incorrectly. During both test phases, the engine accelerated normally without any hesitation or interruption in power. No discrepancies were noted that would have prevented the engine from producing power for normal flight operations.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for MIA08LA156 for the full record.