Diamond DA42 Twin Star, VH-YQP, fatal accident occurred on April 29, 2026, at Parafield Airport (YPPF), Adelaide, South Australia

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

- History of Flight:
On April 29, 2026, at about 1409 local time, a Diamond DA42 Twin Star, VH-YQP, operated by the Flight Training Adelaide, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident at Parafield Airport (YPPF), Adelaide, South Australia. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. The local training flight originated from the airport.

According to Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, at 1358, the airplane taxied from the ramp to runway 03L. At 1408:33, the airplane started its takeoff from the runway. At 1408:43, the airplane appeared to drift off the left side of the runway while going about 77 knots (groundspeed). At 1408:52, the airplane began to climb while going about 88 knots (GS) with a reported vertical rate of 1,700 feet per minute (fpm). At 1409:02, the airplane the crest of the climb at 175 ft, 92 knots groundspeed, 380 fpm, and at the same time started a descending left hand turn. At 1409:06, the airplane was at 150 ft, 87 knots GS, and descending 380 fpm. The last ADS-B return was recorded at 1409:13, the airplane was over the accident site (hangar) at 125 ft, 91 knots groundspeed, and 500 feet per minute descent rate.

Figure 1: ADS-B exchange recording of accident.

Figure 2: Close-up of when the airplane apparently drifted off the left side.

Figure 3: Crest of climb and left hand descending turn.

Figure 4: Google Earth Pro running ADS-B exchange data

Figure 5: Other view

- Wreckage and Impact Information:
Videographic evidence shows that the airplane was struggling to climb while maintaining a left bank attitude. The airplane continued banking/rolling left and eventually entered a near vertical descent into the roof of a hangar at the airport. The impact appears consistent with a low altitude departure stall/Vmca roll. The video was not in clear quality to show the condition of both engines prior to impact (see figures).

Figure 6: Accident Sequence as seen from witness video

Figure 7: Level flight vs left roll as seen in accident video

- Airplane Information:
The accident aircraft, serial number 42.213, was manufactured in 2007. It was a 4-seat, twin engine, low wing, T-tailed, retractable gear airplane mainly made of carbon composite. It was powered by two Lycoming IO-360-M1A engines.

According to the airplane specifications, the stall speed is 61-62 knots (CAS/IAS), depending on engine/maximum takeoff weight.

According to the Pilot Operating Handbook, Operating Limitations, 2.2 Airspeeds: 

VMCA (Minimum control speed airborne) is 65 KIAS (With one engine inoperative, keep airspeed above this limit.)

According to the Pilot Operating Handbook, Emergency Procedures, 3.5.4 ENGINE FAILURE DURING TAKE-OFF

(a) Engine failure with the landing gear extended.

During ground roll:

- abort takeoff

(1) THROTTLE levers ...................................... IDLE / BOTH

(2) Rudder........................................................ maintain directional control

(3) Brakes......................................................... as required

If remaining runway / surface is inadequate to stop continue straight ahead, keep clear of obstacles.

IF SUFFICIENT TIME IS REMAINING, THE RISK OF FIRE IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION WITH OBSTACLES CAN BE REDUCED AS FOLLOWS:

(4) FUEL SELECTORS.................................... OFF

(5) MIXTURE control levers ............................. IDLE cut-off

(6) Ignition switches ......................................... OFF

(7) ELECT. MASTER........................................ OFF.

____________________________

(b) Engine Failure after lift-off

If the landing gear is still down and the remaining runway/surface is adequate:

- abort the takeoff and land straight ahead, turning to avoid obstacles

If the remaining runway / surface is inadequate:

- decide whether to abort or to continue the take-off.

WARNING: IN CERTAIN COMBINATIONS OF AIRCRAFT WEIGHT, CONFIGURATION, AMBIENT CONDITIONS, SPEED AND PILOT SKILL, THE RESULTING CLIMB PERFORMANCE MAY NEVERTHELESS BE INSUFFICIENT TO CONTINUE THE TAKE-OFF SUCCESSFULLY. THEREFORE, A CONTINUED TAKEOFF WITH A FAILED ENGINE HAS TO BE AVOIDED IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. REFER TO CHAPTER 5 PERFORMANCE, FOR ONE ENGINE INOPERATIVE PERFORMANCE DATA.

Continued takeoff:

(1) MIXTURE control levers ............................. full forward

(2) PROPELLER RPM levers........................... full forward

(3) THROTTLE levers ...................................... full forward

(4) Rudder ........................................................ maintain directional control

(5) Airspeed...................................................... Vyse 90 KIAS / as required

(6) Ignition switches.......................................... check BOTH

(7) FUEL PUMPS............................................. ON

(8) FLAPS ........................................................ verify UP

(9) Landing Gear.............................................. UP to achieve a positive ROC

(10)Failed Engine.............................................. identify

For the failed engine, move the controls and switches as follows:

(11)THROTTLE lever........................................ IDLE, then move it up enough to silence the gear warning horn

(12)PROPELLER RPM lever ............................ FEATHER

(13)MIXTURE control lever............................... IDLE cut-off

(14) FUEL PUMP .............................................. OFF

(15) Ignition switch ............................................ OFF

(16) FUEL CONTROL....................................... OFF

Continue according to Paragraph 3.5.9 - ONE ENGINE INOPERATIVE FLIGHT and land as soon as possible according to Paragraph 3.5.10 - ONE ENGINE INOPERATIVE LANDING.

If the situation allows, you may climb to a safe altitude for engine troubleshooting (Paragraph 3.5.7 – ENGINE TROUBLESHOOTING) or (Paragraph 3.5.6 - ENGINE PROBLEMS IN FLIGHT) in order to try to restore engine power.

- Airport Information:
Adelaide/Parafield Airport sets at an elevation of 57.0 ft. It features two four runways, runway 03L/21R (4429 x 59 ft), runway 03R/21L (4196 x 59 ft), runway 08R/26L (3255 x 59 ft), runway 08L/26R (3143 x 59 ft)

- Weather:
The 1400 METAR at the closest airport (YPAD) indicated the following conditions: Wind 050 at 13 knots, temperature 28°C, dewpoint 5°C, an altimeter setting of 1022 hpa. The calculated density altitude was 1355 ft.

METAR YPAD 290400Z 03015KT CAVOK 28/04 Q1022

METAR YPAD 290430Z 05013KT CAVOK 28/05 Q1022

METAR YPAD 290500Z 04013KT CAVOK 28/04 Q1021