Bird Strike - DA40

Any DA40 related topics

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jeremywpb
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Bird Strike - DA40

Post by jeremywpb »

Just had a bird strike in my 2004 DA40. Was about 5 miles from airport when a big bird decided to come for a visit, no one hurt, but a pair of underwear was badly injured :)

Any suggestions on where I can get a replacement windscreen? Part number? Is there any other place to get it besides Diamond?
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Rich
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Re: Bird Strike - DA40

Post by Rich »

Insurance should cover replacement. Had a bird strike on '03 and Avemco covered it, minus the deductible.
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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jeremywpb
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Re: Bird Strike - DA40

Post by jeremywpb »

Do you remember how much it cost? Just trying to move the process along as quick as possible, want to have part ordered asap, need to get back up and running.
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Rich
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Re: Bird Strike - DA40

Post by Rich »

jeremywpb wrote: Sat Jul 04, 2020 8:53 pm Do you remember how much it cost?
I recall the cost was around $6K (we paid $1K) but not relevant to your case. The hit was out on the left wing. The cost included ferrying from Seattle to Minden, NV. Diamond furnished a custom-made upper wing skin patch for about $600. A chunk of the wing skin had to be cut away, patched per part 43 and the area painted to match. Lots of labor cost. Your cost would be mostly the part and shipping. You've got an interesting problem in being unable to ferry the plane anywhere until the part's replaced.

As an aside, to this day you can only see a slight paint texture difference in the repainted area if you know to look for it and get the light just right.
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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jeremywpb
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Re: Bird Strike - DA40

Post by jeremywpb »

Looks like part number is DA4-5210-20-00 (clear) or DA4-5210-20-00+(color code) anybody got one laying around?
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Rick
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Re: Bird Strike - DA40

Post by Rick »

Jeremy, glad to hear nobody was hurt and you were able to land ok. What was it like flying your damaged DA40?
Roanoke, VA (KROA)
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Chris B
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Re: Bird Strike - DA40

Post by Chris B »

Hi Jeremy -

Great to hear that everybody is OK (except for the laundry)! :thumbsup:

I'm amazed (/encouraged?) that the canopy is largely intact, even with the instant sunroof. :shock:

When you get a chance, how thick is the plexiglass in the center of the canopy? Might be an optical illusion, but it looks thicker than near the window vents.

Chris
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blsewardjr
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Re: Bird Strike - DA40

Post by blsewardjr »

You might want to see if you could get the new, taller, canopy as part of this repair.
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jeremywpb
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Re: Bird Strike - DA40

Post by jeremywpb »

It was noisy, but the plane actually did very well. Any suggestions on finding out if I could get the updated canopy glass? Who would I need to call>?

I will have to take a look at the thickness when I get back to the plane.
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Chris B
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Re: Bird Strike - DA40

Post by Chris B »

jeremywpb wrote: Sun Jul 05, 2020 2:56 amAny suggestions on finding out if I could get the updated canopy glass? Who would I need to call?
You could start with Diamond support, which IME is quite helpful.

But when I need parts I generally call Brittany Glassman at Premier in FL: (954) 334-2393. Excellent service!

She should be able to confirm with DAI that the "bubble" canopy will fit on your aircraft, and exactly what part(s) are necessary. I needed parts last weekend to deal with a hangar rash incident. Brittany handled everything with one phone call and a follow-up email.

Presumably the canopy will be drop-shipped from Ontario to your location, which will be expensive. But hopefully not next-day "hazmat" shipping expensive. :roll:

Chris
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