AD/DA42/1 Fuel System Auxiliary Fuel Tank Venting (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Diamond DA42 Series Aeroplanes

AD/DA42/1 Fuel System - Auxiliary Fuel Tank Venting 4/2007 DM

Applicability:

Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH DA 42 aeroplanes with serial numbers 42.015, 42.028, 42.036, 42.044, 42.055, 42.059, 42.062, 42.067, 42.069, 42.075 up to 42.100 inclusive, 42.105, 42.106, 42.108, 42.114, 42.115, 42.117 up to 42.122 inclusive and 42.124.

Requirement:

1.    Inspect and modify the auxiliary fuel tank system as detailed in Diamond Aircraft Industries Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 42-032/1 dated 24 January 2007 or later EASA approved revisions.

2.    Insert into the DA42 Maintenance Manual the AMM-TR-OAM-42-056f Temporary Revision and update the maintenance program to comply with that Temporary Revision.

Note:  EASA AD 2007-0047 dated 23 February 2007 refers.

Compliance:

At the next scheduled inspection but no later 15 April 2007.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 9 March 2007.

Background:

There have been three reported failures of the auxiliary fuel tank venting system.  Failure of this system led to the inability to supply the complete auxiliary fuel quantity to the main tanks and the collapse of the auxiliary tank.

It is suspected that the vent lines were obstructed by ice accretion under certain climatic conditions or blockage of the vent valves because of fuel contaminants.

Undetected failures of the auxiliary fuel tank venting system may lead to lower usable fuel quantities, subsequent fuel starvation and/or fuel spillage into the nacelle.

David Punshon
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

28 February 2007