# NTSB CEN25LA066: Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, N478SA, Monticello, IA, December 28, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: December 28, 2024, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Monticello, IA
- Coordinates: 42.220362, -91.163298
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2204&lon=-91.1633&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 199491
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199491/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199491
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA066

## Probable cause

The on-ground collision with a deer on the runway during the landing roll.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) (defining event); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=2990014), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while in the landing rollout, he saw a deer on the runway and immediately started to apply brakes; however, the deer walked into the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N478SA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N478SA), registered now, S/N 40.NC208, built 2022 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 40 NG
- Registry model: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG](https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da-40-ng) (registry code 2990014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Austro E4-A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/austro-e4-a) (registry code 06402, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 40.NC208
- Year built: 2022
- Airframe hours: 384
- Engines: Austro E4-A 168 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: M U D Y Properties LLC
- Registered owner: M U D Y Properties LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 5, 2024
- Departed: DBQ, Dubuque, IA
- Destination: MXO, Monticello, IA
- Airport: MXO, Monticello Regional, runway 15, 4,400 × 75 ft, concrete
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review August 18, 2024; seat: left; flight hours: 495 total, 227 in this make and model, 416 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observed at: KMXO
- METAR: KMXO 282055Z AUTO 20005KT 10SM CLR 10/08 A2989

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20241228018689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241228018689A), Dec 28, 2024: Diamond Aircraft Ind Inc DA 40 NG, Monticello, IA, Substantial damage. After initial touchdown deer appeared on runway. Applied full brakes, tires skidding, struck deer with propeller and left wing.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 22, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199491. 6.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18441071&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18441081&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 590 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18441171&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photo%20sheet-Rel.pdf

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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