2026-14-08: Landing Gear Actuator

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: 2026-14-08 Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH: Amendment 39-23409; Docket No. FAA-2026-7216; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00693-A. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 20, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH (DAI) Model DA 42, DA 42 M-NG, and DA 42 NG airplanes, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Codee 3233, Landing Gear Actuator. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by occurrences of uncommanded rudder deflection caused by a cracked nose landing gear (NLG) hydraulic actuator rod end. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent cracked rod ends from leading to the failure of the NLG actuator and interference with the rudder control system. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in restricted rudder travel in the landing gear retracted configuration 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 purpose of this AD, the following definitions apply: (1) An "affected part" is an NLG hydraulic actuator rod end having part number (P/N) X11-0006-SMRCD10IRMR.7403 or P/N X11-0006-GARSW-10RR. (2) A "serviceable part" is an affected part that is new (never previously installed on an airplane) or that, before installation, has been inspected and corrected as required by paragraphs (h)(2) and (3) of this AD. (3) A "flight cycle" is defined as one takeoff and one landing. Each additional takeoff and landing associated with a touch-and-go, or a go-around, is accounted for as an additional take-off and landing. (h) Required Actions (1) Before accumulating 1,000 hours total time-in-service (TTIS) on the airplane or before further flight after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, incorporate the information in figure 1 of this AD into the Limitations section of your existing airplane flight manual (AFM). Incorporating a copy of this AD into the Limitations Section of your AFM is an acceptable method for this action. Figure 1 to Paragraph (h)(1)-AFM Limitation ER17JY26.000 (i) This operating limitation may be removed after the first inspection required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD has been accomplished. The first inspection required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD may be done in lieu of this operating limitation provided it is done within the compliance times specified in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD. (ii) The owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may revise the existing AFM for your airplane and must enter compliance with the applicable paragraph of this AD into the airplane maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439. (2) Within the compliance times specified in table 1 to paragraph (h)(2) of this AD and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight cycles, inspect the affected part for cracks, deformation, corrosion, damage, and free movement of the spherical bearing in accordance with Section III of Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction WI-MSB 42-154 and WI-MSB 42NG-101, dated June 29, 2026 (issued as one document), published with Diamond Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB 42-154 and MSB 42NG-101, dated June 29, 2026 (issued as one document). Table 1 Paragraph ( h )(2)-Initial Inspection Compliance Time Aircraft hours TTIS accumulated on the effective date of this AD Compliance time More than 4,000 Within 5 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. 4,000 or less and more than 1,000 Within 50 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. Up to and including 1,000 Within 2,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. Aircraft having an original airworthiness certificate issued on or after the effective date of this AD Within 4,000 flight cycles since issuance of the original airworthiness certificate. (3) If, during any inspection as required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, any crack, deformation, corrosion, damage, or lack of free movement of the spherical bearing is found, before further flight, replace the affected part with a serviceable part as specified in Section III of Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction WI-MSB 42-154 and WI-MSB 42NG-101, dated June 29, 2026 (issued as one document), published with Diamond Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB 42-154 and MSB 42NG-101, dated June 29, 2026 (issued as one document). Replacing the NLG hydraulic actuator with an NLG hydraulic actuator that is equipped with a serviceable part is an acceptable method to comply with this requirement. (4) Within 14 days after performing any inspection required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD or within 14 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, report the inspection results (including no findings, for the first inspection only), using the Execution Report in Diamond Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB 42-154 and MSB 42NG-101, dated June 29, 2026 (issued as one document)), published with Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction WI-MSB 42-154 and WI-MSB 42NG-101, dated June 29, 2026 (issued as one document). (i) Parts Installation Limitation As of the effective date of this AD, do not install an affected part on any airplane unless it is a serviceable part as defined in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD. (j) No Return of Parts Where Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction WI-MSB 42-154 and WI-MSB 42NG-101, dated June 29, 2026 (issued as one document), published with Diamond Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB 42-154 and MSB 42NG-101, dated June 29, 2026 (issued as one document), specifies to return damaged parts to DAI, this AD does not require this action. (k) 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, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l) of this AD and email to: AMOC@faa.gov. 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. (l) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Zakaria Abdi, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4141; email: zakaria.f.abdi@faa.gov. (m) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 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 Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB 42-154 and MSB 42NG-101, dated June 29, 2026 (issued as one document), published with Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction WI-MSB 42-154 and WI-MSB 42NG-101, dated June 29, 2026 (issued as one document). (ii) [Reserved] (3) For Diamond Aircraft material identified in this AD, contact Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH, N.A. Otto-Stra?e 5, A-2700 Wiener Neustadt, Austria; phone: +43 2622 26700; email: office@diamond-air.at; website: diamondaircraft.com/ . (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1100 Main, Kansas City, MO 64105. 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 July 13, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-14511 Filed 7-15-26; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P