Diamond DA40 for Sale

Aircraft overview

The Diamond DA40 is a four-seat, single-engine piston aircraft built by Diamond Aircraft in Austria and Canada. Developed from the two-seat DA20, the DA40 first flew in 1997 and entered production around 2000, with updated versions still offered. It is a composite, low-wing aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear, used for private flying, instrument training, and cross-country travel. Its significance in the used market comes from combining modern composite construction, predictable handling, good visibility, and relatively efficient operating costs in a certified four-seat platform.

Performance & specifications

Performance varies by engine and model year. The common DA40-180 uses a 180 hp Lycoming IO-360-M1A avgas engine and typically cruises in the 140-150 knot range. Published maximum range is commonly around 700 nautical miles, depending on power setting, fuel, and reserves. Useful load is often in the high-800 to low-900 lb range, making loading discipline important when carrying four adults and baggage. The service ceiling for Lycoming-powered versions is approximately 16,400 feet. Diesel variants such as the DA40 TDI and DA40 NG use Jet-A-burning engines, with the DA40 NG powered by the Austro Engine AE300.

Cabin & avionics

The DA40 seats four in a relatively narrow but bright cabin, with a large forward canopy and rear passenger access door. Visibility is a defining cabin feature, especially for training and sightseeing, while the long wing and stable handling support instrument instruction. Early aircraft may have conventional analog instruments or mixed avionics, while many later DA40s are equipped with Garmin G1000 glass cockpits. Newer and upgraded examples may feature Garmin G1000 NXi, integrated autopilot capability such as the Garmin GFC 700, WAAS GPS, traffic, weather, and modern engine monitoring. Buyers should verify the exact avionics configuration, database status, and autopilot approvals for the aircraft being considered.

Buying & value

Used Diamond DA40 values depend strongly on variant, engine, avionics, total time, training history, and maintenance records. PlaneFox listing data shows an average asking price of about EUR 345,000, with current examples ranging roughly from EUR 125,000 to EUR 590,000. Lower-priced aircraft are often earlier DA40-180 or high-time training examples, while late-model DA40 NG and well-equipped G1000 NXi aircraft sit higher. Key inspection points include composite airframe condition, damage history, canopy condition, landing gear wear, engine and propeller status, service bulletin compliance, and, on diesel models, gearbox, clutch, and engine program history.