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Airworthiness Directive AD No.: 2017-0103R1

Diamond DA62 · Flight Manual

Overview

This document is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) concerning the E4 series engines used in various Diamond Aircraft models, including the DA 62. The AD addresses potential issues with the timing chain of these engines, which may lead to engine power loss if not properly maintained. It outlines the necessary actions to ensure compliance, including amendments to the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) and inspection protocols for the timing chain. The document is crucial for maintaining the airworthiness of affected aircraft and ensuring the safety of operations.

  • The AD addresses timing chain issues in E4 series engines installed on Diamond DA 62.
  • Operators must amend the AFM to limit windmilling restarts to emergency use only.
  • Compliance with the AD is required within 30 days of the original issue date.
  • The AD applies to all E4 series engines with configurations '-B' or '-C'.
  • Failure to comply with the AD may result in engine power loss and reduced aircraft control.

In this document

Applicability

The AD applies to E4 series engines, specifically those with configurations '-B' or '-C', and E4P engines installed on twin-engine aircraft. This includes the Diamond DA 42 NG, DA 42 M-NG, and DA 62.

Reason for the AD

The directive was issued due to detected wear on the timing chain of some engines, potentially caused by windmilling restarts. This wear could lead to timing chain failure and engine power loss, posing a risk to aircraft control.

Required Actions

Operators must amend the applicable AFM within 30 days of the original AD issue date. The amendment limits windmilling restarts to emergency procedures only. Compliance can be achieved using specific AFM revisions for the DA 62.

References

The AD references several documents, including the Austro Engine Service Bulletin MSB-E4-017/2 and the Austro Engine Operation Manual OM-TR-MDC-E4-359b, which provide further instructions and compliance methods.

Safety notes

  • Failure to address the timing chain wear could lead to engine power loss and loss of control of the aircraft.
Full document text

EASA AD No.: 2017-0103R1 TE.CAP.00110-009 © European Union Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. ISO9001 Certified. Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Confirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Intranet. An agency of the European Union Page 1 of 3 Airworthiness Directive AD No.: 2017-0103R1 Issued: 25 February 2019 Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 on behalf of the European Union, its Member States and of the European third countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 129 of that Regulation. This AD is issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 748/2012, Part 21.A.3B. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate an aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agency [Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 Annex I, Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, Article 71 exemption]. Design Approval Holder’s Name: AUSTRO ENGINE GmbH Type/Model designation(s): E4 series engines Effective Date: Revision 1: 11 March 2019 Original issue: 28 June 2017 TCDS Number(s): EASA.E.200 Foreign AD: Not applicable Revision: This AD revises EASA AD 2017-0103 dated 14 June 2017. ATA 72 – Engine – Timing Chain – Replacement / Aircraft Flight Manual – Limitations Section – Amendment Manufacturer(s): Austro Engine GmbH (AE) Applicability: Model E4 engines, all serial numbers having configuration “-B” or “-C”, and E4P engines, all serial numbers, installed on twin engine aeroplanes. These engines are known to be installed on, but not limited to, Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 42 NG, DA 42 M-NG and DA 62 aeroplanes. Reason: Considerable wear of the timing chain has been detected on some engines. This may have been caused by windmilling restarts, which are known to cause high stress to the timing chain. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to failure of the timing chain and consequent engine power loss, possibly resulting in reduced control of the aeroplane. To address this potential unsafe condition, AE included instructions in the engine maintenance manual to periodically inspect the condition of the timing chain and, depending on findings, to EASA AD No.: 2017-0103R1 TE.CAP.00110-009 © European Union Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. ISO9001 Certified. Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Confirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Intranet. An agency of the European Union Page 2 of 3 replace the timing chain and the chain wheel. The operation manual was updated to allow windmilling restart only as an emergency procedure. AE also published Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) MSB-E4-017/2, providing instructions to replace the timing chain for engines with known windmilling restarts, and EASA issued AD 2017-0103, requiring replacement of the timing chain for engines with known windmilling restarts, and amendment of the applicable Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM). Since that AD was issued, AE revised the applicable Airworthiness Limitation Section (ALS) including, among others, the limitation required by that AD. Consequently, EASA published AD 2019-0041, requiring accomplishment of the actions specified in the ALS. For the reason described above, this AD is revised accordingly, removing the requirement of timing chain replacement. This action remain required through EASA AD 2019-0041. Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s): Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: Replacement: (1) DELETED. (2) DELETED. AFM update: (3) Within 30 days after 28 June 2017 [the effective date of the original issue of this AD], amend the applicable AFM, as specified in Austro Engine Operation Manual OM-TR-MDC-E4-359b, to limit the use of windmilling restart only as emergency procedure, inform all flight crews and, thereafter, operate the aeroplane accordingly. Note: For DA 42 NG and DA 42 M-NG aeroplanes, using AFM TR TR-MÄM-42-973, and for DA 62 aeroplanes, using AFM TR TR-MÄM-62-240 to update the applicable AFM is an acceptable method to comply with the requirements of paragraph (3) of this AD. Parts installation: (4) DELETED. Ref. Publications: Austro Engine SB MSB-E4-017/2, dated 02 December 2016. Austro Engine Operation Manual OM-TR-MDC-E4-359b, dated 09 November 2016. The use of later approved revisions of these documents is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this AD. Remarks: 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD. EASA AD No.: 2017-0103R1 TE.CAP.00110-009 © European Union Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. ISO9001 Certified. Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Confirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Intranet. An agency of the European Union Page 3 of 3 2. The original issue of this AD was posted on 11 May 2017 as PAD 17-059 for consultation until 08 June 2017. No comments were received during the consultation period. 3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the EASA Safety Information Section, Certification Directorate. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu. 4. Information about any failures, malfunctions, defects or other occurrences, which may be similar to the unsafe condition addressed by this AD, and which may occur, or have occurred on a product, part or appliance not affected by this AD, can be reported to the EU aviation safety reporting system. 5. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in this AD, please contact: Austro Engine GmbH, Rudolf-Diesel-Str. 11, 2700 Wiener Neustadt, Austria, Telephone +43-2622-23000-2525, E-mail service@austroengine.at. The referenced publication can be downloaded directly from the Austro Engine GmbH Service Bulletin webpage.

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