DA40 TDI Crashes in Sweden north of Gothenburg

[stickandrudderman]

I think the fact that a certain reliable contributor is conspicuous by his absence and that it's half term may not be a coincidence!

[DX Wombat]

Perhaps mummy and daddy have locked him up in the dungeon for the break. Or maybe it's the other way round - his children have locked him in the dungeon. We can only live in hope.

[Contacttower]

It does look like the Diamond has good crash worthiness, but isn't it a little worrying though that this was the third engine failure this plane had had?

[DX Wombat]

but isn't it a little worrying though that this was the third engine failure this plane had had?

Only from a maintenance / repair point of view (until proved otherwise.) The one I fly was sent to a maintenance facility at Coventry for routine maintenance and was returned, several weeks later, with THREE time-expired components still in situ - one of which was the alternator. It made a swift trip down to Bristol where they, and another problem which manifested itself whilst it was there, were dealt with in a matter of two days. It only took two days because the new problem was unexpected and parts had to be obtained. Did something similar happen to this aircraft? Who knows? It will be interesting to see what the Swedish AAIB discover.

[wsmempson]

That "certain contributor" who is a font of wisdom on Diamond issues does seem to have enforced periods of 'down-time'; either this is when he is back locked up in his trunk or away at school.

I reckon that the chap who landed the DA40 outside Gothenberg did an outstanding job. I doff my cap out of respect.

[100LL]

First cause might be a defective load sensor

on the DA40 and probably on the other TAE engine conversions 2 load sensors are fitted.

The battery should last at least 30 Mins with correct load shedding. I dont know about the Robin or Cessna instalation but both DA40 IFR & VFR have the ECU backup battery under the rear seat, the only difference is thatthe VFR version does not have the backup battery light.

Do a serch for Sternone on google, He also gives advice on other Aviation forums around the world, go on try it. He might be busy advising others or he's been a very naughty boy and mummy has cut off his broadband for the weekend.

[BRL]

There is a SternOne on the xbox forums, check this out...

http://www.360voice.com/tag/SternOne

Hats off to the pilot of the plane by the way......

[100LL]

Hats off to the pilot of the plane by the way......

Have to agree Diamond do build a strong Aeroplane.

Maybe we should start a thread, Who is Sternone. Is he a mythical beast like the Stig,

Some say After drinking printing ink, he obtains the ability to fly. "All we know is, he's called the Sternone

[IO540]

Looking at the pic, the engine was not developing power at time of the impact.

[DX Wombat]

Looking at the pic, the engine was not developing power at time of the impact

* That may be because it had stopped of its own volition (from whatever cause) but it may also be because the pilot did what he was taught and shut it down once he knew he was going to land on that street. Those engines stop very quickly unlike some others which cough and splutter before deciding to cooperate. The pilot did an excellent job.
* When I first looked at the photo I thought the first picture showed a nasty bend in the top blade but this didn't appear to be so in the second photo.
100LL:

Maybe we should start a thread, Who is Sternone.

Perhaps we should get him to post his photo on the JB Photo thread.

[100LL]

Found out why he's not been on aparently some Diamond driver got to him first

[DX Wombat]

Brilliant 100LL, simply brilliant.
I have to say, that looking like that, there's only it's mother could love it.
What is it by the way? An Aye Aye?

[Fuji Abound]

.. .. .. but isnt it a composite prop?

That is a diamond of a picture - love it!

[DX Wombat]

Composite prop with metal leading edges.

[Fuji Abound]

So I dont suppose they would bend?

[englishal]

The avgas ones are metal. I saw one after a student prop struck it...and then went around! OMG I was amazed the thing flew (she got extended by ATC because she didn't tell anyone). Apparently there was a bit of vibration

Still it was her own aeroplane, she was doing her PPL on it, and had also bought a DA42 which was in the hangar waiting for her to get the PPL so I guess she didn't get a b@llocking......

[BackPacker]

So I dont suppose they would bend?

My guess is their either retain their shape in full (with minor scratches) or shatter, but nothing in between. There is no structural metal or other material that can bend in these props..

From the POH:

An mt-Propeller MTV-6-A/187-129 hydraulically regulated 3-bladed constant speed propeller is installed. It has wood-composite blades with fiber-reinforced plastic coating and stainless steel edge cladding; in the region of the propeller hub the leading edge is coated with adhesive PU foil. These blades combine the lowest weight whilst minimizing vibration.

What you should also realize is that these blades, being relatively light-weight and connected to the crankshaft via a 1:1.69 gearbox, have to windmill a diesel engine with a compression ratio of, what, somewhere between 1:20 and 1:25, whereas a direct drive petrol engine with metal blades only has to pull the engine through a 1:11 or so compression? There is not a lot of inertia or torque in this combination to keep the engine windmilling if fuel injection halts. So I think you can safely assume that if the engine is not developing power, it will stop windmilling only seconds later, unless you really keep the speed up.

BTW. I can't believe the last half a dozen of posts are about a windup instead of the topic at hand. This fine example of the failure of Darwin apparently has developed a reputation to the point where his appearance and reaction is anticipated, in fact eagerly awaited, without him being even here.

[100LL]

What you should also realize is that these blades, being relatively light-weight and connected to the crankshaft via a 1:1.69 gearbox, have to windmill a diesel engine with a compression ratio of, what, somewhere between 1:20 and 1:25, whereas a direct drive petrol engine with metal blades only has to pull the engine through a 1:11 or so compression? There is not a lot of inertia or torque in this combination to keep the engine windmilling if fuel injection halts. So I think you can safely assume that if the engine is not developing power, it will stop windmilling only seconds later, unless you really keep the speed up.

Read the AFM especially the TR's. It’s ok speculating what actually happened but until the Pilot in question actually posts on here or the AAIB publishes its findings NO ONE KNOWS!!. So lets all carry on guessing. BTW the Compression ratio is 18 –1

[playingup]

Prop

Natural Composite ........... ie WOOD with a layer of cloth over the top and stainless steel leading edge.

[Bahn-Jeaux]

Hey BRL, you missed this one,

and this one

and this one too