A Diamond DA40 exceeded its maximum permissible speed by 20 knots after an instructor performed a wingover manoeuvre for which they had not been trained, according an ATSB report published late last week.
VH-EQF was on a training flight from Wellcamp Airport in QLD in February this year with a student and instructor on board, when the instructor took the controls at 6300 feet AMSL over Jimna, and attempted to perform a wingover.
During the manoevure, the aircraft roll angle exceeded 90°, the pitch angle dropped below the level attitude and the airspeed began increasing. Whilst recovering, the instructor pulled the throttle to idle and gently pulled the nose up, but not enough to prevent the aircraft reaching 198 KIAS, well above the 178 KIAS Vne.
The instructor indicated they had prioritised keeping the Diamond below its g limits during recovery. The aircraft was recovered 2600 feet AGL.
After doing a visual check to ensure the overspeed had not damaged the airframe, the instructor and student continued back to Wellcamp, Although the instructor ensured the aircraft was not booked out again that day, the overspeed condition was not reported until the following morning.
Later inspection revealed the aircraft had not been damaged.
ATSB investigators found the manoeuvre had not been briefed and the instructor had not been trained on wingovers.
“Wingovers are permitted in the DA40, but it was a manoeuvre the instructor had not been trained to perform,” said ATSB Director Transport Safety Stuart Macleod.
“As such, this incident underlines to pilots the importance of not attempting unfamiliar manoeuvres without the appropriate training, so as to reduce the likelihood of mishandling and to be prepared to respond appropriately if things do not go as planned.”
The operator, Flight Training Adelaide, has since advised students and instructors that prior permission must be obtained from the Head of Operations or Deputy Head of Operations to conduct such manoevures. Instructors were also tutored in the importance of personal limitations and decision-making.
The full report is on the ATSB website.