Overview

The Airworthiness Directive (AD/DA40/3) for Diamond DA40 Series Aeroplanes, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in 2004, addresses a critical safety concern related to the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) wire harness. This directive was enacted to mitigate the risk of a short circuit within the wire harness, which could potentially cause an in-flight engine shut down. CASA issued this directive in response to advice from Austrocontrol, the Austrian Civil Aviation Administration, highlighting the need for immediate action to enhance the safety of the specified aircraft models. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure that the aircraft's Airworthiness is maintained by correcting the identified unsafe condition through the required amendments to the Aircraft Flight Manual and the inspection of the FADEC wiring harness.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to Diamond DA40 Series aeroplanes with the listed serial numbers, which are identified in the applicability section of the directive. The directive mandates actions to address an identified unsafe condition related to the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) wire harness, which could potentially lead to an in-flight engine shut down due to a short circuit. The requirements outlined in the directive include amending the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) by incorporating Temporary Revision TR-MÄM-40-122 in line with Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletin No. MSBD4-029 Section 1.8 paragraph a), and conducting an inspection of the FADEC wiring as specified in MSBD4-029 Section 1.8 paragraph b). Compliance with these requirements is necessary before further flight after the effective date of the directive and within specific timeframes. The directive, which became effective on 12 February 2004, extends to the Commonwealth of Australia, as notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on the same date. The AD does not specify any exclusions or exemptions but ensures that the necessary actions are taken to maintain the airworthiness of the affected aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive AD/DA40/3 issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of CASR 1998 applies specifically to Diamond DA40D aeroplanes with the serial numbers listed. The directive mandates two key actions to address the identified unsafe condition related to the FADEC wire harness. Firstly, it requires the amendment of the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) by inserting Temporary Revision TR-MÄM-40-122 as outlined in Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletin No. MSBD4-029 Section 1.8 paragraph a). Secondly, it necessitates an inspection of the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) wiring in accordance with MSBD4-029 Section 1.8 paragraph b). Austrocontrol AD A-2004-002 also references this issue. Operators of the specified DA40D aeroplanes must comply with these requirements within stipulated timeframes. For Requirement 1, the AFM amendment must be made before any further flight after the effective date of the Directive, which is 12 February 2004. For Requirement 2, the inspection of the FADEC wiring harness must be conducted within the next 50 hours of time in service after the effective date, but no later than 31 March 2004. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in non-compliance with the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations. Non-compliance with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive could have serious legal implications. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is responsible for enforcing these regulations, and any breaches could lead to enforcement actions. In terms of penalties, the specific civil or criminal consequences are not outlined in the directive itself, but non-compliance with CASA directives can generally lead to fines, penalties, or even grounding of the aircraft until the issues are rectified. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the non-compliance, as well as any resultant safety incidents.