Airplane Flight Manual Clarification

FAA Aircraft Certification Service SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN SUBJ: Airplane Flight Manual Clarification SAIB: CE-07-38 Date: June 19, 2007 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin informs you of a clarification to a Diamond Aircraft Model DA42 Airplane Flight Manual Abnormal Operating Procedure concerning “Starting Engine with External Power.” Diamond Aircraft issued revision 4, dated November 30, 2005, to the DA42 AFM.

Background

There was a dual engine shutdown on a Diamond Aircraft DA42, on March 4, 2007, in the Federal Republic of Germany. This accident was the result of a depleted battery and, in part, from not following Abnormal Operating Procedure 4B.7.2, Starting Engine.

Recommendations

We recommend that operators review Abnormal Operating Procedure 4B.7.2. The following is a NOTE in this Procedure: It is recommended to start the LH engine (pilot side). If required by operational reasons, the RH engine can also be started. The intent of this NOTE is to state that “either” the LH engine or the RH engine may be started using an external power unit. The NOTE does NOT allow starting of both engines using external power unit. This is reinforced by Steps 12 and 13 of the Starting Engine Procedure.

12. External Power …………… Disconnect

13. Opposite engine …………... Start with normal procedure

For Further Information Contact

Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace Engineer, FAA Small Airplane Directorate, Room 301, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090; email: [email protected], or Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer; telephone (816) 329-4144; email: [email protected].