2024-06-13: Flight Control System

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: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2022-21-15, Amendment 39-22214 (87 FR 67541, November 9, 2022); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2024-06-13 Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH: Amendment 39-22718; Docket No. FAA-2023-2143; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00088-A. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 28, 2024. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2022-21-15, Amendment 39-22214 (87 FR 67541, November 9, 2022). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH (DAI) 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 2700, Flight Control System. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of a loose rudder T-yoke bolt nut, excessive wear of the hole, and insufficient hole edge margin at the rudder steering bracket. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct vertical movement of the T-yoke bolt (axle). The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to blockage or loss of rudder control and result in reduced control of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Definitions For the purposes of this AD, the following definitions apply. (1) Group 1 airplanes: Airplanes with serial numbers specified in Technical Details, section I.2, of Diamond Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin DAI MSB 42-143/1 and DAI MSB 42NG-086/1, dated January 25, 2022 (issued as one document), published with DAI Work Instruction WI-MSB 42-143 and WI-MSB 42NG-086, Revision 3, dated November 15, 2022 (issued as one document) attached. (2) Group 2 airplanes: Airplanes with serial numbers specified in Technical Details, section I.2, of Diamond Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin DAI MSB 42-146 and DAI MSB 42NG-087, dated November 15, 2022 (issued as one document). (3) Group 3 airplanes: Airplanes that are not in Group 1 or Group 2. (4) Depending on the serial number, a Group 1 airplane can also be a Group 2 airplane. (h) Inspections and Corrective Actions For Group 1 and Group 2 airplanes: Do the inspection required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD at the compliance time specified in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD and the applicable corrective actions specified in paragraphs (h)(2) through (4) of this AD at the applicable compliance times specified in paragraphs (h)(2) through (4) of this AD. (1) Within 200 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect the rudder steering bracket edge distance by measuring in accordance with step 6 of the Instructions, Section III, in Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction WI-MSB 42-143 and WI-MSB 42NG-086, Revision 3, dated November 15, 2022 (issued as one document) attached to Diamond Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin DAI MSB 42-143/1 and DAI MSB 42NG-086/1, dated January 25, 2022 (issued as one document). (2) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, the measured distance is equal to or greater than 11 millimeters (mm), before further flight, inspect the hole in the rudder steering bracket for wear and play in accordance with steps 9 through 11 of the Instructions, Section III, in Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction WI-MSB 42-143 and WI-MSB 42NG-086, Revision 3, dated November 15, 2022 (issued as one document) attached to Diamond Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin DAI MSB 42-143/1 and DAI MSB 42NG-086/1, dated January 25, 2022 (issued as one document). Where Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction WI-MSB 42-143 and WI-MSB 42NG-086, Revision 3, dated November 15, 2022 (issued as one document) attached to Diamond Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin DAI MSB 42-143/1 and DAI MSB 42NG-086/1, dated January 25, 2022 (issued as one document) specifies to discard the self-locking nut this AD requires removing that part from service. (3) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, the measured distance is less than 11 mm, before further flight, contact the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Diamond's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA) for repair instructions, and within the compliance time specified therein, complete the repair. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (4) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, a worn or enlarged hole is found on the rudder steering bracket, or if the T-yoke bolt is found to have play, before further flight, contact the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; EASA; or Diamond's EASA DOA for instructions (repair or replacement of the rudder steering bracket), and within the compliance time specified therein, do the instructions. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (i) Replacement and Application of Torque Seal Marks (1) For Group 1 airplanes that are not also Group 2 airplanes: Concurrently with the inspection required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, replace the rudder T-yoke bolt part number (P/N) LN 9037-M6x90 with rudder T-yoke bolt P/N D60-5320-00-32, and apply torque seal marks on the rudder T-yoke bolt head and self-locking nut, in accordance with steps 13 through 15 of the Instructions, Section III, in Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction WI-MSB 42-143 and WI- MSB 42NG-086, Revision 3, dated November 15, 2022 (issued as one document) attached to Diamond Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin DAI MSB 42-143/1 and DAI MSB 42NG-086/1, dated January 25, 2022 (issued as one document). (2) For Group 2 airplanes: Concurrently with the inspection required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, replace the rudder T-yoke bolt part number (P/N) LN 9037-M6x90 with rudder T-yoke bolt P/N D60-5320-00-32, and apply torque seal marks on the rudder T-yoke bolt head and self-locking nut, in accordance with steps 6 through 9, 14, 15, and 18 of the Instructions, Section III, in Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction WI-RSB 42-139 and WI-RSB 42NG-081, Revision 2, dated November 15, 2022 (issued as one document) attached to Diamond Aircraft Recommended Service Bulletin DAI RSB 42-139 and DAI RSB 42NG-081, dated October 21, 2019 (issued as one document). Where Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction WI-RSB 42-139 and WI-RSB 42NG-081, Revision 2, dated November 15, 2022 (issued as one document) attached to Diamond Aircraft Recommended Service Bulletin DAI RSB 42-139 and DAI RSB 42NG-081, dated October 21, 2019 (issued as one document) specifies to discard the self-locking nut this AD requires removing that part from service. (j) Repetitive Inspections (1) For Group 1 and Group 2 airplanes: Within 200 hours TIS after the inspection required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD and, thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 200 hours TIS, inspect the torque seal marks on the T-yoke bolt head and self-locking nut for proper alignment. Note 1 to paragraph (j)(1): This can be accomplished using DAI Maintenance Manual (AMM) Temporary Revision (TR) AMM-TR-MÄM-42-1213/a, dated June 7, 2022 (DAI AMM TR AMM-TR-MÄM-42-1213/a). (2) For Group 3 airplanes: Within 200 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 200 hours TIS, inspect the torque seal marks on the T-yoke bolt head and self-locking nut for proper alignment. Note 2 to paragraph (j)(2): This can be accomplished using DAI AMM TR AMM-TR-MÄM-42-1213/a. (3) For all airplanes: If, during any inspection required by paragraph (j)(1) or (j)(2) of this AD, it is found that the torque seal marks are not properly aligned, before further flight, contact the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; EASA; or Diamond's EASA DOA for approved repair instructions, and within the compliance time specified therein, accomplish those instructions accordingly. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (k) Parts Installation Prohibition For all airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD, do not install on any airplane a rudder T-yoke bolt P/N LN 9037-M6x90. (l) Credit for Previous Actions (1) You may take credit for the actions required by paragraphs (h)(1) and (2) of this AD if the actions were done before the effective date of this AD using any of the work instructions specified in paragraphs (l)(1)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this AD. (i) Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction WI-MSB 42-143 and WI-MSB 42NG-086, Revision 0, dated December 23, 2021 (issued as one document) attached to Diamond Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin DAI MSB 42-143 and DAI MSB 42NG-086, dated December 23, 2021 (issued as one document). (ii) Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction WI-MSB 42-143 and WI-MSB 42NG-086, Revision 1, dated January 25, 2022 (issued as one document) attached to Diamond Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin DAI MSB 42-143/1 and DAI MSB 42NG-086/1, dated January 25, 2022 (issued as one document). (iii) Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction WI-MSB 42-143 and WI-MSB 42NG-086, Revision 2, dated March 10, 2022 (issued as one document) attached to Diamond Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin DAI MSB 42-143/1 and DAI MSB 42NG-086/1, dated January 25, 2022 (issued as one document). (2) You may take credit for the rudder T-yoke bolt replacement required by paragraph (i) of this AD if that action was done before the effective date of this AD using the Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction WI-RSB 42-139 and WI-RSB 42NG-081, Revision 1, dated October 24, 2019 (issued as one document) attached to Diamond Aircraft Recommended Service Bulletin DAI RSB 42-139 and DAI RSB 42NG-081, dated October 21, 2019 (issued as one document). (m) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, 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 International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (n)(2) of this AD or email to: 9- AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. If mailing information, also submit information by email. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. (n) Additional Information (1) Refer to EASA AD 2023-0013, dated January 18, 2023, for related information. This EASA AD may be found in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-2143. (2) For more information about this AD, contact Penelope Trease, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (303) 342-1094; email: penelope.trease@faa.gov. (3) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (o)(3) of this AD. (o) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) 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 DAI MSB 42-143/1 and DAI MSB 42NG-086/1, dated January 25, 2022 (issued as one document), published with DAI Work Instruction WI-MSB 42-143 and WI-MSB 42NG-086, Revision 3, dated November 15, 2022 (issued as one document) attached. (ii) Diamond Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin DAI MSB 42-146 and DAI MSB 42NG-087, dated November 15, 2022 (issued as one document). (iii) Diamond Aircraft Recommended Service Bulletin DAI RSB 42-139 and DAI RSB 42NG-081, dated October 21, 2019 (issued as one document), published with DAI Work Instruction WI-RSB 42-139 and WI-RSB 42NG-081, Revision 2, dated November 15, 2022 (issued as one document) attached. (3) For service information contact Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH, N.A. Otto-Straße 5, A-2700 Wiener Neustadt, Austria; phone: +43 2622 26700; email: airworthiness-austria@diamondaircraft.com; website: diamondaircraft.com . (4) You may view this service information at the 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 (817) 222-5110. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-2143. (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on March 22, 2024. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-08539 Filed 4-19-24; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P