NTSB CEN25LA066 — 2024-12-28 · Monticello, Iowa, United States

Current FAA registration · N478SA

Make / Model: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT DA 40 NG
Year of manufacture: 2022 · 2 years old at event
Engine: AUSTRO E4-A (168 hp)
Seats / Engines: 5 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 20221102
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S A5E063

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N478SA DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 40 NG None

Probable cause & findings

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

Factual narrative

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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

— Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Animal(s)/bird(s)-Effect on equipment
— Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Animal(s)/bird(s)-Ability to respond/compensate

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2024_CEN25LA066.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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