AD 2014-13-08 Airworthiness Directives; Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Airplanes

Makes named: diamond. Models named: DA 40, DA 40 F. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Diamond Aircraft Industries Model DA 40 airplanes, serial numbers 40.006 through 40.009, 40.011 through 40.1071, and 40.1073 through 40.1077; and Model DA 40 F airplanes, serial numbers 40.FC001 through 40.FC029; certificated in any category.

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified in paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(4) of this AD, unless already done. (1) For airplanes with less than 1,500 hours time-in-service (TIS): At or before 2,000 hours TIS after August 27, 2014 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 114 months after August 27, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, modify the aft main spar in the cabin area following the INSTRUCTIONS section of Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Work Instructions WI-MSB 40-074, WI-MSB D4-094, and WI-MSB F4-028 (co-published as a single document), dated May 10, 2013, as specified in Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletins (MSB) 40-074, D4-094, and F4-028 (co-published as a single document), dated May 10, 2013. (2) For airplanes with 1,500 hours or more than 1,500 hours TIS but less than 2,000 hours TIS: At or before 500 hours TIS after August 27, 2014 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 114 months after August 27, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, modify the aft main spar in the cabin area following the INSTRUCTIONS section of Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Work Instructions WI-MSB 40-074, WI-MSB D4-094, and WI-MSB F4-028 (co-published as a single document), dated May 10, 2013, as specified in Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletins (MSB) 40-074, D4-094, and F4-028 (co-published as a single document), dated May 10, 2013. (3) For airplanes with 2,000 hours or more than 2,000 hours TIS but less than 2,500 hours TIS: At or before 500 hours TIS after August 27, 2014 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 48 months after August 27, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, modify the aft main spar in the cabin area following the INSTRUCTIONS section of Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Work Instructions WI-MSB 40-074, WI-MSB D4-094, and WI-MSB F4-028 (co-published as a single document), dated May 10, 2013, as specified in Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletins (MSB) 40-074, D4-094, and F4-028 (co-published as a single document), dated May 10, 2013. (4) For airplanes with 2,500 hours or more than 2,500 hours TIS: Within the next 100 hours TIS after August 27, 2014 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 12 months after August 27, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, visually inspect the aft spar center section following page 11, Inspection Item 31 in Section 05-28-50, Maintenance Checklist Airframe, of Chapter 5, Time Limits and Maintenance Checks, in DIAMOND AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES DA 40 SERIES AIRPLANE MAINTENANCE MANUAL (AMM), Revision 7, dated April 1, 2013. If any damage is found during this inspection, before further flight, do all necessary corrective actions. (i) After doing the inspection required by paragraph (f)(4) of this AD including any applicable corrective actions, at or before 500 hours TIS after August 27, 2014 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 48 months after August 27, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, modify the aft main spar in the cabin area following the INSTRUCTIONS section of Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Work Instructions WI-MSB 40-074, WI-MSB D4-094, and WI-MSB F4-028 (co-published as a single document), dated May 10, 2013, as specified in Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletins (MSB) 40-074, D4-094, and F4-028 (co-published as a single document), dated May 10, 2013. (ii) The modification required in paragraph (f)(4)(i) of this AD may be done instead of the inspection required by paragraph (f)(4) of this AD provided it is done within the next 100 hours TIS after August 27, 2014 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 12 months after August 27, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first.

The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: mike.kiesov@faa.gov . Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as the fatigue strength found in the aft main spar not ensuring unlimited lifetime structural integrity. We are issuing this AD to correct an incorrect compliance time and to modify the aft main spar in the cabin area to ensure the structural integrity of the airplane.

This AD supersedes AD 2013-24-14, Amendment 39-17689 (78 FR 72568; December 3, 2013).