SAIB CE-04-85

CE-04-85 September 10, 2004 www.faa.gov/certification/aircraft This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) provides you, owners and operators of Diamond Aircraft Model DA 40 airplanes, with safety information regarding inspection/replacement of the fuel selector/fuel valve universal joints.

Background

Diamond Aircraft has determined a potential safety issue that pertains to abnormal manufacturing in combination with mechanical wear of the universal joint between the fuel selector and the fuel valve, and has developed a Mandatory Service Bulletin, MSB 40-030/1, requiring inspection of the universal joints. If the pins within the universal joint come loose during aircraft operation, the capability of selecting the other fuel tank may not be possible.

We are currently considering Airworthiness Directive (AD) action for this safety issue. In the interim, we are sending you copies of Diamond’s MSB and Austria’s AD A-2004-003.

Recommendation

We highly recommend that you comply with Mandatory Service Bulletin.

For Technical Information Concerning These Safety Issues Contact

Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH, N.A. Otto-Straße 5, A-2700 Wiener Neustadt, Austria; phone: 43.2622-26700; fax: 43 2622-26780.

For Further Information Contact

Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer/Pilot, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri, 64106; phone: (816) 329-4144; fax: (816) 329-4090, email: [email protected]