# NTSB ERA24LA061: Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, N999VC, Manassas, VA, November 29, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 29, 2023, 16:19 UTC
- Place: Manassas, VA · HEF Airport
- Coordinates: 38.721025, -77.515105 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7210&lon=-77.5151&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193508
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193508/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193508
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA061

## Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bird during initial climb.

## 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 (probable cause); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2990002), [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.

- [Initial climb: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2990002), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during initial climb, around 700 ft above ground level, a bird impacted the leading edge of the left wing, resulting in substantial damage to the wing. After impacting the bird, the pilot informed air traffic control that he would need to return to the airport, performed a normal traffic pattern, and landed without further incident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N999VC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N999VC), registered now, S/N 40.506, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 40 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40](https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da-40) (registry code 2990002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 40.506
- Year built: 2005
- Airframe hours: 3867.6
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-M1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Piston2Jet
- Registered owner: Diamond Aircraft Sales Of Kentucky LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 13, 2023, 4.9 hours before
- Departed: HEF, Manassas, VA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: HEF, Manassas Regional Airport
- Equipment: ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Electronic multifunction display, Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 24, 2023; seat: left; flight hours: 132.3 total, 13.3 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observed at: HEF
- METAR: KHEF 291556Z 21011KT 10SM CLR 02/M12 A3021 RMK AO2 SLP239 T00171122 FZRANO

## 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 20231129016679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231129016679A), Nov 29, 2023: Diamond Aircraft Ind Inc DA 40, Manassas, VA, Substantial damage. The pilot performed a normal takeoff from runway 34L out of khef, and on climbout, at approximetly 700' AGL and a speed of approximately 70KTS, the aircraft…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193508. 7.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16549936&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=01%206120.1%20Accident%20Form%20Partially%20Complete%20From%20Maintenance%20_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 472 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16549077&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=02%20N999VC%20Incident%20Bird%20Strike%20Report%20Nov%2029%202023_Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Damage assessment mfr (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16549156&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=03%20Damage%20Assessment%20MFR-Rel.pdf
- DA40 series maintenance manual excerpt (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16549087&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=04%20DA40%20Damage%20Section%2051-10-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photographs (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 658 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16549097&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=05%20Investigation%20Photos-Rel.pdf
- Video showing delamination/disbonding (item 6, MOV, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16549415&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=06%20Video%20showing%20delamination-Rel.MOV

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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