Compare
Cirrus SR20 vs Diamond DA 40 Diamond Star
The two side by side, from the FAA registry, the FAA's Airworthiness Directives and Service Difficulty Reports, and the NTSB's accident database. Each has a full guide: Cirrus SR20, Diamond DA 40 Diamond Star.
Where they differ
- The Cirrus SR20 fleet is younger: half of those registered were built by 2018, against 2008 for the Diamond DA 40.
- There are more Cirrus SR20s to choose from: 1,547 registered against 1,000.
- Most Cirrus SR20s have the Lycoming IO-390; most Diamond DA 40s the Lycoming IO-360.
- The Cirrus SR20 burns more fuel in a typical cruise: about 11 gallons an hour against 9.
- The Diamond DA 40 carries more airframe ADs with a repeat action, 5 against 3: inspections that come back for as long as the AD applies.
Side by side
| Cirrus SR20 | Diamond DA 40 Diamond Star | |
|---|---|---|
| Registered in the US | 1,547 | 1,000 |
| Built | 2000 to 2026 | 2002 to 2025 |
| Half built by | 2018 | 2008 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Most common engine | Lycoming IO-390 | Lycoming IO-360 |
| Typical cruise fuel burn | 11 gal/hr | 9 gal/hr |
| Engine overhaul intervalThe engine maker's published hours between overhauls. | Not set | Not set |
| Current airframe ADs | 11 | 13 |
| Airframe ADs with a repeat action | 3 | 5 |
| Current ADs on the main engine | 4 | 29 |
| Service Difficulty ReportsSince the year shown in each guide; per 1,000 registered today. | 64 (41.4 per 1,000) | 0 (0.0 per 1,000) |
| Most-reported system | DC Generator-Alternator | None |
| Accidents since 2008Per 1,000 registered today, not per hour flown: a training fleet flies far more than a private one. | 118 (76.3 per 1,000) | 53 (53.0 per 1,000) |
| Fatal accidents since 2008 | 35 | 9 |
| Most common accident | Loss of control in flight | Loss of control on ground |
Report and accident counts are not rates: nobody publishes the hours each model flies, and a training fleet flies far more than a private one. Fuel burn is a typical cruise figure; the engine interval is its maker's published figure for the usual engine.
The Cirrus SR20's repeat-action ADs
- 2024-24-11Requires repetitively inspecting (visual) the upper power lever for any crack(s) and depending on the results of any visual inspection, either inspecting (fluorescent penetrant) or replacing the upper power lever
- 2008-11-18Perform an inspection and replacement as necessary of the heat exchanger
- 2006-21-03Check the maintenance records to determine whether the brake caliper piston O-ring seals were replaced at the last annual or 100-hour inspection
The Diamond DA 40's repeat-action ADs
- 2024-19-08Requires doing repetitive detailed inspections of the NLG leg pivot axle for cracking and if cracking is found replacing that part with a serviceable part
- 2016-23-03Turbocharging
- 2016-22-06Autopilot
- 2013-08-21Turbocharging
- 2007-11-21Fuel
Questions
- Which has more Airworthiness Directives, the Cirrus SR20 or the Diamond DA 40?
- 11 current ADs name the Cirrus SR20 airframe and 13 the Diamond DA 40; 3 and 5 of them have a repeat action.
- Which is newer, the Cirrus SR20 or the Diamond DA 40?
- Half of the Cirrus SR20s registered were built by 2018, half of the Diamond DA 40s by 2008.
- How do the Cirrus SR20 and Diamond DA 40 accident records compare?
- 118 accidents since 2008 for the Cirrus SR20 (35 fatal) against 53 for the Diamond DA 40 (9 fatal), from fleets of 1,547 and 1,000. Counts, not rates per hour flown.