Sat, May 14, 2011
AD NUMBER: 2011-10-13
MANUFACTURER: Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH
Models DA 42, DA 42 NG, and DA 42 M-NG Airplanes
SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2011-10-13
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD
results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
issued 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:
Since 2004, more than 30 reports
have been received of in-flight loss of a rear passenger door on
Diamond airplanes, the majority of which were DA 40s. In addition
at least 18 doors have been replaced because of damage found on the
hinge. Diamond Aircraft Industries conducted analyses and
structural tests to determine the root cause of the door opening in
flight. The conclusions were that the primary locking mechanism
provided adequate strength to react to the loads in flight. It was
also determined that the root cause was the crew not properly
securing the rear passenger door by the main locking mechanism,
prior to flight. Damage to the hinges has been caused primarily by
external loads (wind gust conditions) while the airplane was
parked.
All DA 40 and DA 42 airplanes have
a system installed that provides a warning if the main door latch
is not fully closed and a secondary safety latch (with retaining
bracket) design feature. The initial intended design function of
the latch was to hold the rear passenger door in the "near closed"
position while on the ground, protecting the door from wind gusts.
However, the original retaining bracket Part Number (P/N)
DA4-5200-00-69 might not hold the door in this "near closed"
position while in flight.
This condition, if not corrected,
could result in the rear passenger door opening and departing the
airplane in flight.
This AD to requires actions to correct the unsafe condition on
these products.
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