2026-22-06: Passenger/Crew Doors

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: 2026-22-06 Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc.: Amendment 39-23508; Docket No. FAA-2026-4633; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01173-A. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 7, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. (DAI) Model DA 40, DA 40 F, and DA 40 NG airplanes, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5210, Passenger/Crew Doors. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by several reports of passenger door separation during flight. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this unsafe condition. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in damage to the airplane structure and lead to loss of control of the airplane and injury to persons on the ground. (f) Definition For the purpose of this AD, the Diamond Aircraft work instruction is defined as Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction WI-MSB 40-103/WI-MSB F4-042/WI-MSB D4-114/WI-MSB 40NG-084 REV. 2, dated June 5, 2025 (issued as one document), published with Diamond Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB 40-103/MSB F4-042/MSB D4-114/MSB 40NG-084 REV. 2, dated June 5, 2025 (issued as one document). (g) Applicable Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Temporary Revisions The following presents the AFM and temporary revisions that apply to this AD and each individual model. (1) For Model DA 40 airplanes: Diamond Aircraft DA 40 AFM Doc. No. 6.01.01-E Temporary Revision TR-MAM-40-1203, Door Latching and Locking, dated December 16, 2024. (2) For Model DA 40 F airplanes: Diamond Aircraft DA 40 F AFM Doc. No. 6.01.02-E Temporary Revision TR-MAM-40-1203, Door Latching and Locking, dated December 16, 2024. (3) For Model DA 40 NG airplanes: Diamond Aircraft DA 40 NG AFM Doc. No. 6.01.15-E Temporary Revision TR-MAM-40-1203/a, Door Latching and Locking, dated February 18, 2025. (h) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (i) Required Actions (1) Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 100 days, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, revise the existing AFM for the airplane to include the information specified in the applicable AFM temporary revision specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of this AD. (i) The owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may revise the existing AFM for the 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 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439. (ii) The AFM revision required by paragraph (i)(1) of this AD may be accomplished before the initial inspection and modification required by paragraph (i)(2) or (3) of this AD for that airplane. (2) For airplanes with less than 100 total hours TIS as of the effective date of this AD: Within 100 hours TIS or 100 days, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the initial inspection of the safety hook, latching bolts, front and rear door guide blocks and the modification of the airplane with placards in accordance with the instructions of Section III, steps 5, 20 through 23, 28, 30, 31, and 33 through 36 in the Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction specified in paragraph (f) of this AD, except accomplish the actions required by step 20(f) in accordance with paragraphs (i)(4) and (5) of this AD. (3) For airplanes that have accumulated 100 or more total hours TIS as of the effective date of this AD: Within 100 hours TIS or 100 days, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the initial inspection of the canopy and passenger door warning light, carbon hinges, safety hook, tension spring, retaining block, safety hook push button, safety hook mechanism, latching mechanism spring, gas spring, latching bolts, front and rear door guide blocks, and door frame; measure the passenger door handle actuation force; and accomplish the modification of the airplane with placards in accordance with the instructions of Section III, steps 2 through 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20 through 24, and 28 through 36 in the Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction specified in paragraph (f) of this AD, except accomplish the actions required by step 20(f) in accordance with paragraphs (i)(4) and (5) of this AD. (4) If, during the inspection required by step 20(f) in the Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction specified in paragraph (f) of this AD, the force measured is less than 1.8 kg (18 N), and if the force measured during the inspection required by step 20(c) was between 2 kg (20 N) and 6 kg (60 N), perform the following: (i) Repeat the inspection required by step 20(c) in the Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction specified in paragraph (f) of this AD every 100 hours TIS until the replacement of the gas spring required by paragraph (i)(4)(ii) of this AD is accomplished. (ii) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the gas spring in accordance with the Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction specified in paragraph (f) of this AD. (5) If, during the inspection specified in step 20(f) in the Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction specified in paragraph (f) of this AD, the force measured is less than 1.8 kg (18 N), and if the force measured during the inspection required by step 20(c) was greater than 6 kg (60 N) or less than 2 kg (20 N), before further flight, replace the gas spring. (6) If, during any inspection as required by paragraph (i)(2) or (3) of this AD, any findings, as defined in Section III, steps 5, 6, 9, 12, 20, and 23 are identified, before further flight, accomplish the applicable corrective action(s) in accordance with the instructions of Section IV, IV.1, steps 1 through 9, VI.2 [ sic ], steps 1 and 2, VI.3 [ sic ], steps 1 and 2, and VI.4 [ sic ], steps 1 through 5 in the Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction specified in paragraph (f) of this AD. (7) Where the instructions of Section III or Section IV of the Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction specified in paragraph (f) of this AD state to contact the manufacturer "in case of doubt" or for approved instructions, this AD requires before further flight, using instructions approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; Transport Canada; or DAI's Transport Canada Design Organization Approval (DOA), and within the compliance time specified therein, accomplishing those instructions. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (j) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in paragraph (f) of this AD specifies to submit information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action. (k) Credit for Previous Actions You may take credit for the actions required by paragraph (i) of this AD if you performed those actions before the effective date of this AD using Diamond Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB 40-103/MSB F4-042/MSB D4-114/MSB 40NG-084 REV. 1, dated May 15, 2025 (issued as one document), published with Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction WI-MSB 40-103/WI-MSB F4-042/WI-MSB D4-114/WI-MSB 40NG-084 REV. 1, dated May 15, 2025 (issued as one document); or Diamond Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB 40-103/MSB F4-042/MSB D4-114/MSB 40NG-084 REV. 0, dated March 20, 2025 (issued as one document), published with Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction WI-MSB 40-103/WI-MSB F4-042/WI-MSB D4-114/WI-MSB 40NG-084 REV. 0, dated March 20, 2025 (issued as one document). (l) 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 (m) of this AD and email to: [email protected]. 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. (m) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Fatin Saumik, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228-7300; email: [email protected]. (n) 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 40-103/MSB F4-042/MSB D4-114/MSB 40NG-084 REV. 2, dated June 5, 2025 (issued as one document), published with Diamond Aircraft Work Instruction WI-MSB 40-103/WI-MSB F4-042/WI-MSB D4-114/WI-MSB 40NG-084 REV. 2, dated June 5, 2025 (issued as one document). (ii) Diamond Aircraft DA 40 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Doc. No. 6.01.01-E Temporary Revision TR-MAM-40-1203, Door Latching and Locking, dated December 16, 2024. (iii) Diamond Aircraft DA 40 F AFM Doc. No. 6.01.02-E Temporary Revision TR-MAM-40-1203, Door Latching and Locking, dated December 16, 2024. (iv) Diamond Aircraft DA 40 NG AFM Doc. No. 6.01.15-E Temporary Revision TR-MAM-40-1203/a, Door Latching and Locking, dated February 18, 2025. (3) For Diamond Aircraft material identified in this AD, contact Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc., 1560 Crumlin Sideroad, London, Ontario, Canada, N5V 1S2; phone: (519) 457-4041; email: [email protected]; 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 [email protected]. Issued on October 26, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-22310 Filed 10-30-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P