2024-19-08: Nose/Tail Landing Gear

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 2009-10-04, Amendment 39-15899 (74 FR 22435, May 13, 2009); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2024-19-08 Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH): Amendment 39-22850; Docket No. FAA-2024-1696; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01234-A. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 29, 2024. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2009-10-04, Amendment 39-15899 (74 FR 22435, May 13, 2009) (AD 2009-10-04). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. (type certificate previously held by Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH) Model DA 40 and DA 40F airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3220, Nose/Tail Landing Gear. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by failure of a nose landing gear (NLG) in the area of the pivot axle. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to damage to the airplane and injury to occupants. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Definitions For the purpose of this AD the definitions in paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of this AD apply: (1) An "affected part" is an NLG leg having either P/N D41-3223-10-00 or P/N D41-3223-10-00_1. (2) A "serviceable part" is an NLG leg that is not an affected part. NLG legs having P/N D41-3223-10-00_2 or P/N D41-3223-10-00_3 are considered serviceable parts. (3) The "applicable mandatory service bulletin (MSB) for your airplane" is: (i) For Model DA 40 airplanes: Diamond Aircraft Industries Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB 40-091, Rev. 0, dated January 18, 2021, published with Diamond Aircraft Industries Work Instruction WI-MSB 40-091, Rev. 0, dated January 18, 2021 (issued as one document). (ii) For Model DA 40 F airplanes: Diamond Aircraft Industries Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB F4-038, Rev. 0, dated January 18, 2021, published with Diamond Aircraft Industries Work Instruction WI-MSB F4-038, Rev. 0, dated January 18, 2021 (issued as one document). (h) Required Actions For all airplanes with an affected part installed, do the applicable actions specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (2) of this AD. (1) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 110 hours TIS, perform the actions required by paragraphs (h)(1)(i) through (v) of this AD: (i) Prepare the airplane for inspection of the pivot axle of the affected part in accordance with Section III, Paragraphs 1 through 4, of the Work Instruction of the applicable MSB for your airplane. (ii) Clean the pivot axle of the affected part ensuring that any visible dye inspection residue is removed. Note 1 to paragraph (h)(1)(ii): Paragraph 5-63, Cleaners and Applicators, of Chapter 5, Nondestructive Inspection (NDI), Section 5, Penetrant Inspection, of FAA Advisory Circular 43.13-1B, "Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices-Aircraft Inspection and Repair," Change 1, dated September 8, 1998, provides guidance regarding an approved cleaning method. (iii) Perform a detailed inspection of the pivot axle of the affected part using a bright light (minimum of 100 foot-candles) and 10X magnifying glass to detect cracking, paying special attention to the radius at the top of the pivot axle as shown in Figure 1 of the Work Instruction of the applicable MSB for your airplane, except where Figure 1 refers to a "dye penetrant inspection" this AD does not require that type of inspection. (iv) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by paragraph (h)(1)(iii) of this AD, before further flight, replace the affected part with a serviceable part, and reinstall the nose wheel fork in accordance with Section III, Paragraphs 8 through 12 of the Work Instruction of the applicable MSB for your airplane. (v) If no cracking is found during any inspection required by paragraph (h)(1)(iii) of this AD and the compliance time specified in paragraph (h)(2) of this AD has not been exceeded, the affected part can remain installed until the compliance time specified in paragraph (h)(2) of this AD is reached. Reinstall the nose wheel fork in accordance with Section III, Paragraphs 8 through 12, of the Work Instruction of the applicable MSB for your airplane. (2) Within 2,500 hours TIS or 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, replace an affected part with a serviceable part. This part replacement is terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD. (i) Parts Installation Prohibition As of the effective date of this AD, do not install an affected part on any airplane. (j) 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 manager of the International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD or email to: 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 local Flight Standards District Office/certificate holding district office. (k) Additional Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Gabriel Kim, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228-7300; email: 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov. (2) FAA Advisory Circular 43.13-1B, "Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices-Aircraft Inspection and Repair," Change 1, dated September 8, 1998, may be found at drs.faa.gov. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Diamond Aircraft Industries Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB 40-091, Rev. 0, dated January 18, 2021, published with Diamond Aircraft Industries Work Instruction WI-MSB 40-091, Rev. 0, dated January 18, 2021 (issued as one document). (ii) Diamond Aircraft Industries Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB F4-038, Rev.0, dated January 18, 2021, published with Diamond Aircraft Industries Work Instruction WI-MSB F4-038, Rev. 0, dated January 18, 2021 (issued as one document). (3) For Diamond Aircraft Industries material identified in this AD, contact Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc., 1560 Crumlin Sideroad, London, ON, Canada, N5V 1S2; phone: (519) 457-4041; email: support-canada@diamondaircraft.com; website: diamondaircraft.com. (4) You may view this material 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. (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 October 21, 2024. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-24758 Filed 10-24-24; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P