AD 2017-18-10 Airworthiness Directives; Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Airplanes

Makes named: diamond. Models named: DA 42, DA 42 M-NG, DA 42 NG. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Models DA 42, DA 42 M-NG, and DA 42 NG airplanes, serial numbers 42.004 through 42.427, 42.AC001 through 42.AC151, 42.M001 through 42.M026, 42.N001 through 42.N067, 42.N100 through 42.N129, 42.NC001 through 42.NC008, and 42.MN001 through 42.MN033, certificated in any category.

Unless already done, do the following actions: (1) Inspect the flap bell crank, part number (P/N) D60-2757-11-00, and modify the flap control system by installing two spacers, P/N DS BU2-10-06-0065-C, where the flap actuator rod end bearing is connected to the flap bell crank, following the Instructions section in Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH (DAI) Work Instruction WI-MSB 42-126/WI-MSB 42NG-066, dated March 27, 2017 (single document), as specified in DAI Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB 42-126/MSB 42NG-066, dated March 27, 2017 (single document), at whichever of the following compliance times occurs later: (i) Before exceeding 600 hours time-in-service (TIS), and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 200 hours TIS. (ii) Within the next 100 hours TIS after October 11, 2017 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 6 months after October 11, 2017 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 200 hours TIS. (2) If any discrepancies are found during any inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, replace the flap bell crank with an improved part, P/N D60-2757-11-00_01, following the Instructions section in DAI Work Instruction WI-MSB 42-126/WI-MSB 42NG-066, dated March 27, 2017 (single document), as specified in DAI Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB 42-126/MSB 42NG-066, dated March 27, 2017 (single document). Installing P/N D60-2757-11-00_01 terminates the repetitive inspections required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. This installation as terminating action may be done in lieu of the inspections required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.

The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Small Airplane Standards Branch, 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, Small Airplane Standards Branch, FAA 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or if there is a delegated foreign airworthiness authority Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

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 crack formation on the flap bell crank. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the flap bell crank, which could result in reduced control.

None.