AD NUMBER: 2017-18-10

PRODUCT: Certain Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Models DA 42, DA 42 M-NG, and DA 42 NG airplanes.

ACTION: Final Rule.

SUMMARY:  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 crack formation on the flap bell crank, which could cause the flap bell crank to fail.

DATES: This AD is effective October 11, 2017

COST: The FAA estimates  this AD will affect 190 products of U.S. registry. They also estimate that it will take about 4 work-hours per product to comply with the initial inspection requirement of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the initial inspection requirement of this AD on U.S. operators to be $64,000, or $340 per product.

The FAA estimates it will take about 2 work-hours per product to comply with the repetitive inspection requirement of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the repetitive inspection requirement of this AD on U.S. operators to be $32,300, or $170 per product.

In addition, the FAA estimates that any necessary replacement action will take about 1 work-hour and require parts costing $430, for a cost of $515 per product. They have no way of determining the number of products that may need these actions.

According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. As the FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected individuals, the agency has included all costs in its cost estimate.

FMI: AD