Ad/Da42/7 - Rear Engine Support Bracket (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/DA42/7 Rear Engine Support Bracket 10/2008

Applicability:

Model DA 42 aircraft with Thielert TAE 125-01 engines installed, all aircraft serial numbers, except aircraft with engine serial numbers listed in paragraph 1.2 of Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH (DAI) Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB-42-058 dated 21 May 2008, or later EASA approved revision.

Requirement:

1.    Perform the inspection and correction of the fastening torque of the right hand rear engine support bracket mounting bolts, in accordance with DAI
MSB-42-058 original issue, or later EASA approved revision, and the associated Work Instruction WI-MSB-42-058 dated 12 March 2008, or later EASA approved revision.

2.    Replace all right hand rear engine support bracket mounting bolts with wire-secured bolts part number D60-9071-26-01, in accordance with DAI
MSB-42-058 original issue, or later EASA approved revision, and the associated Work Instruction WI-MSB-42-058 dated 12 March 2008, or later EASA approved revision.

After installation of the wire-secured bolts part number D60-9071-26-01, the Requirement 1 repetitive inspection torque checks are no longer required.

After 30 November 2009, installation of replacement bolts other than wire-secured bolts part number D60-9071-26-01 to the right hand rear engine support bracket is prohibited.

Note:  EASA AD 2008-0139 refers.

Compliance:

1.    Within 100 flight hours after 25 September 2008, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 flight hours; until accomplishment of Requirement 2.

2.    No later than 30 April 2009.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 25 September 2008.

Background: In-service experience indicates that the powder coating of the right hand rear engine support bracket is degrading over time and leading to reduced torque of the engine mounting bolts.  In some cases, bolts had fully unscrewed and fallen into the engine cowling.  This condition, unless corrected, could result in other bolts loosening with possible subsequent damage to the engine or accessories.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

11 August 2008