Diamond Aircraft Ind INC DA20-C1 accident near Howell, Michigan, September 13, 2026
On September 13, 2026 at about 1:10 am local time, a 2010 Diamond Aircraft Ind INC DA20-C1, registered N942RM, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Howell, Michigan (Livingston County/Spencer J Ha airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 13, 2026 · about 1:10 am local time · cases in 2026
- Place
- Howell, Michigan · Livingston County/Spencer J Ha · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Diamond Aircraft Ind INC DA20-C1, built 2010
- Registration
- N942RM · registry record · serial C0573
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Wildlife encounter (non-bird) during takeoff defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,979.8 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 22, 2026; 45 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,700 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Midwest Air LLC
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13/3, 5,002 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 240° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft; scat at 4,700 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 8:25 pm from KOZW
Weather report (METAR): METAR KOZW 130025Z AUTO 24002KT 10SM SCT047 BKN050 24/18 A2988 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N942RM on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Livingston County/Spencer J Hardy · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Michigan 2,107 since 1982 · 230 in the last ten years
- Michigan 7,226 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN26LA320.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.