Compare
Diamond DA 40 Diamond Star vs Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP
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: Diamond DA 40 Diamond Star, Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP.
Where they differ
- There are more Cessna 172Ss to choose from: 3,069 registered against 1,000.
Side by side
| Diamond DA 40 Diamond Star | Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP | |
|---|---|---|
| Registered in the US | 1,000 | 3,069 |
| Built | 2002 to 2025 | 1998 to 2026 |
| Half built by | 2008 | 2009 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Most common engine | Lycoming IO-360 | Lycoming IO-360 |
| Typical cruise fuel burn | 9 gal/hr | 9 gal/hr |
| Engine overhaul intervalThe engine maker's published hours between overhauls. | Not set | 2,000 hr |
| Current airframe ADs | 13 | 39 |
| Airframe ADs with a repeat action | 5 | 5 |
| Current ADs on the main engine | 29 | 29 |
| Service Difficulty ReportsSince the year shown in each guide; per 1,000 registered today. | 0 (0.0 per 1,000) | 383 (124.8 per 1,000) |
| Most-reported system | None | Reciprocating Engine Cylinder Section |
| Accidents since 2008Per 1,000 registered today, not per hour flown: a training fleet flies far more than a private one. | 53 (53.0 per 1,000) | 255 (83.1 per 1,000) |
| Fatal accidents since 2008 | 9 | 32 |
| Most common accident | Loss of control on ground | Hard landing |
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 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
The Cessna 172S's repeat-action ADs
- 2013-11-11Requires replacement when the engine oil pressure switch reaches its life limit
- 2011-10-09Requires retaining all of the actions from the previous AD and adding steps to the inspection procedures in the previous AD
- 2011-06-02Requires installing a full authority digital engine control (FADEC) backup battery, replacing the supplement pilot's operating handbook and FAA approved airplane flight manual, and replacing the FADEC backup battery...
- 2001-06-17Requires a one-time inspection for proper engine idle speed and fuel control mixture setting and adjustment, as necessary
- 97-12-06Requires checking the clearance between both the gascolator and cowling area and the tailpipe and cowling area, and modifying these areas immediately if any evidence of rubbing at either location is found or...
Questions
- Which has more Airworthiness Directives, the Diamond DA 40 or the Cessna 172S?
- 13 current ADs name the Diamond DA 40 airframe and 39 the Cessna 172S; 5 and 5 of them have a repeat action.
- Which is newer, the Diamond DA 40 or the Cessna 172S?
- Half of the Diamond DA 40s registered were built by 2008, half of the Cessna 172Ss by 2009.
- How do the Diamond DA 40 and Cessna 172S accident records compare?
- 53 accidents since 2008 for the Diamond DA 40 (9 fatal) against 255 for the Cessna 172S (32 fatal), from fleets of 1,000 and 3,069. Counts, not rates per hour flown.