2021-22-03: Nose/Tail Landing Gear Attach Section

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2021-22-03 Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH: Amendment 39-21776; Docket No. FAA-2021-0602; Project Identifier 2019-CE-022-AD. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 21, 2021. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Model DA 42, DA 42 NG, and DA 42 M-NG airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3221, Nose/Tail Landing Gear Attach Section. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and address an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as failure of the nose landing gear (NLG) actuator attachment lever and detachment from the NLG leg. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the NLG actuator attachment lever, which could result in restricted rudder travel with the NLG retracted and reduced airplane control. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Definition of Airworthy Part For the purposes of this AD, an airworthy part is an NLG leg assembly that has accumulated 1,800 or fewer hours time-in-service (TIS) since first installation on an airplane or that has passed the inspection (no cracks and no damage) required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD. (h) Required Actions (1) Inspect the NLG actuator attachment lever for cracks and damage in the areas shown in paragraph 2 of the Instructions in Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction WI-MSB 42-136 and WI-MSB 42NG-078, Revision 1, dated January 24, 2019 (issued as one document) attached to Diamond Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB 42-136/1 and MSB 42NG-078, dated January 24, 2019 (issued as one document) at the following applicable compliance times in paragraph (h)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD: (i) For airplanes with an NLG assembly that has accumulated less than 1,800 hours TIS as of the effective date of this AD: Within 200 hours TIS after the NLG assembly accumulates 1,800 hours TIS or within 12 months after the NLG assembly accumulates 1,800 hours TIS, whichever occurs first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 200 hours TIS; or (ii) For airplanes with an NLG assembly that has accumulated 1,800 or more hours TIS as of the effective date of this AD: Within 210 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 200 hours TIS. (2) After each inspection required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, if there is a crack or damage on the NLG actuator attachment lever, before further flight, replace the NLG leg assembly with an airworthy part as defined by this AD. (3) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install an NLG leg assembly on any airplane unless it is an airworthy part as defined by this AD. (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD or email: [email protected]. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. (j) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Penelope Trease, Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 26805 E 68th Avenue, Denver, CO 80249; phone: (303) 342-1094; email: [email protected]. (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0066, dated March 27, 2019, for more information. You may examine the EASA AD in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0602. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Diamond Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB 42-136/1 and MSB 42NG-078, dated January 24, 2019 (issued as one document) published with Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction WI-MSB 42-136 and WI-MSB 42NG-078, Revision 1, dated January 24, 2019 (issued as one document) attached. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH, N.A. Otto-Straße 5, A-2700 Wiener Neustadt, Austria; phone: +43 2622 26700; fax: +43 2622 26780; email: [email protected]; website: https://www.diamondaircraft.com. (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on October 13, 2021. Gaetano A. Sciortino, Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2021-25011 Filed 11-15-21; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P