THE DTSB
Pending.
Diamond DA20-A1 | N83RF
- DTSB analysis published
Key facts
- DateAugust 20, 2026
- Local time1:00 PM
- LightDay
- WeatherVMC
- Phase of flightEnroute
- People on board2
- Fatalities1
- Airport18ME
Accident Location
- City, State
- Briston, Maine
- Latitude
- 43.876536
- Longitude
- -69.523453
- Airport ID
- 18ME
Aircraft Info
- N Number
- N83RF
- Make
- Diamond
- Model
- DA20-A1
- Category / Class
- Aircraft Single Engine Land
- Amateur Built
- No
Pilot Info
- Pilot in command
- Hall, John Benjamin
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 54
- Certification
- Commercial Pilot
- IFR rating
- Yes
- Medical
- 2nd Class Medical
- Flight school
- No
- Instructional flight
- No
Analysis
- Weather
- VMC
- Time of day
- Day
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Pilot error
- Yes
- Pilot incapacitation
- Unknown
- People on board
- 2
- PIC fatality
- 1
- Total fatalities
- 1
- NTSB travel
- Yes
- AQP category
- 6) MISHANDLED ABN. →
Probable Cause
NTSB
None yet (final report not yet published).
Recommendation
THE DTSB
Pending. Aircraft was heading towards airport 18ME when it suddenly turned right more than 100 degrees and landed in the water very close to a shoreline. The aircraft flipped upside down when it touched the water and the passenger was able to get out, but the pilot was not. The reason for the sudden turn and water landing is not yet known. the total distance flown after making the turn was approximately 1500 yards.
NTSB
None issued. NTSB recommendations are rare and usually tied to high-profile accidents.
See the NTSB Recommendation Tracker →