Diamond Aircraft Ind INC DA 40 accident near Manassas, Virginia, November 29, 2023
On November 29, 2023 at about 4:19 pm local time, a 2005 Diamond Aircraft Ind INC DA 40, registered N999VC, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Manassas, Virginia (Manassas Regional 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
An in-flight collision with a bird during initial climb.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 29, 2023 · about 4:19 pm local time
- Place
- Manassas, Virginia · Manassas Regional 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 DA 40 NO SERIES, built 2005
- Registration
- N999VC · registry record · serial 40.506
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Birdstrike during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 132.3 hours in all; 13.3 in this make and model
- Last flight review: April 24, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,867.6 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, November 13, 2023; 4.9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,646 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-M1A (piston); 3,867 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HEF Manassas VA at 3:30 pm
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 36°F (2°C), dew point 10°F (-12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observation at 10:56 am from HEF
Weather report (METAR): KHEF 291556Z 21011KT 10SM CLR 02/M12 A3021 RMK AO2 SLP239 T00171122 FZRANO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on January 25, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Damage Assessment Mfr | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | DA40 Series Maintenance Manual Excerpt | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Video Showing Delamination/disbonding | MOV file | Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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 never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.