Diamond DA42 Down in New Zealand
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Auckland
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Considering that the company originated from the gliding roots - no wonder DA series looks like a glider abomination. I must say, though, they are comfortable aircrafts to fly, I enjoyed them all (maybe except for DA20, which are way too light to my taste). The canopy opens against the airflow so it cannot pop open.
One butt ugly aircraft probably a great stable platform for training, A glider dragonfly after having sex with a blow fly with engines -Can that canopy open in flight?
[/QUOTE]One butt ugly aircraft probably a great stable platform for training, A glider dragonfly after having sex with a blow fly with engines -Can that canopy open in flight?
Two different things.
Engines fail at night also.
Again, just a thought as instructors tend to challenge themselves a little more.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: New Zealand
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"Agree, but maybe they thought they where better than they where, but missed the basics. The attitude of the pilot can play a part. I’m good I’m bullet proof. Goes with the territory.
Hi mum Hi dad I’m a pilot, even the training organisations need to update."
Hi mum Hi dad I’m a pilot, even the training organisations need to update."
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I know for a fact that neither boy was that way inclined. Both were serious about their flying and working very hard toward professional careers.One was a B cat and the other just approaching his B cat test. They were not fresh new C cats. Something has gone wrong, whether mechanical, material or just an outright mistake we will have to await the outcome of the investigation - or we may never even know. I do know that I have an enormous void in my life now - one that no parent should ever have. I will issue my son his final takeoff clearance on Friday at 2pm.
there would be a lot of people hurting right now with this tragic incedent, remember you are not alone with this, reach out, the lift under ones wings can support many.
RIP to two aviators that have been taken way too early.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NZ
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Originally Posted by towerguy 
I know for a fact that neither boy was that way inclined. Both were serious about their flying and working very hard toward professional careers.One was a B cat and the other just approaching his B cat test. They were not fresh new C cats. Something has gone wrong, whether mechanical, material or just an outright mistake we will have to await the outcome of the investigation - or we may never even know. I do know that I have an enormous void in my life now - one that no parent should ever have. I will issue my son his final takeoff clearance on Friday at 2pm.
I know for a fact that neither boy was that way inclined. Both were serious about their flying and working very hard toward professional careers.One was a B cat and the other just approaching his B cat test. They were not fresh new C cats. Something has gone wrong, whether mechanical, material or just an outright mistake we will have to await the outcome of the investigation - or we may never even know. I do know that I have an enormous void in my life now - one that no parent should ever have. I will issue my son his final takeoff clearance on Friday at 2pm.
My condolences to you, 30 years ago I survived a fatal crash in a light aircraft. Every time I hear of a light aircraft accident like this, it brings it all back. I was in my mid 20s. In the following years I lost a number of friends and colleagues in the same way. Just remember they were doing something they loved and were passionate about.
They got to live their dream. Sadly, it ended too soon. As important as it is to find out 'why', for the Aviation community, it is also important to focus on their achievements. Two young men following their dreams,..PPL,CPL, B/C Cat. Instructors,..they did well in their short time with us. As we all know, taking to the sky has it's risks, but the joy of flight is so thrilling that we gladly do it anyway. ..30 years ago I wrote a quote in my logbook by author/Pilot Richard Bach
" Those of us who fly have our debts to pay "..
I hope that as time goes on you can focus on those achievements and how they gave of their knowledge to others.
Best wishes..
Anyway I do take your point on board and I wasn't intending to imply engine failures should be strictly limit to day VFR straight and level etc.Very sorry for your loss towerguy, the mood around Ardmore has been very sombre these past few days.
Thread Starter
Towerguy – so sorry for your loss. Accidents that have loss of life often seem removed from reality until one reads a message like yours. My most sincere condolences to you and your family.
Anything is possible. However I doubt total electrical failure would be sudden. I don't know the DA42 system but at a minimum I'd guess you would have to to lose both alternators and have the battery go flat before you would have total electrical failure.
I haven't read anywhere they made any distress calls, which if true indicates they didn't have a problem they knew about. Having said that they were operating outside of controlled airspace so may have made some calls on the local Taupo frequency.
I haven't read anywhere they made any distress calls, which if true indicates they didn't have a problem they knew about. Having said that they were operating outside of controlled airspace so may have made some calls on the local Taupo frequency.
Thread Starter
Rather worringly another DA42 has today gone down in Dubai with the loss of four souls.
Dubai aircraft crash: Three Britons and one South African killed
Could there be an issue with this design?
Dubai aircraft crash: Three Britons and one South African killed
Could there be an issue with this design?
A quick look at the manual shows 2X2 ECU, 2 X ECU backup batteries plus battery and two generators so it’s difficult to, but of course not impossible to imagine a total electric failure as the cause.
In this accident both engines had been started off ground power (contrary to the POH, which stated the second engine must be started of the internal batteries - meaning they need to have suffficient charge to do this) and the engine failures occurred when the gear was selected up. There wasn't enough residual juice in the batteries to keep the ECU's running and the engines shut down.
Rotax (912 iS) and GE and/or RR and/or P&W have permanent magnet alternators to provide dedicated ECU/FADEC/FBW power in all circumstances short of mechanical failure. Diamond engines have a dedicated exciter current battery.
