AD 2007-23-14

Unless already done, do the following actions within the next 100 hours time-in-service after December 26, 2007 (the effective date of this AD) or within 30 days after December 26, 2007 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first:

(1) Modify the engine electrical system by installing additional engine control unit (ECU) backup batteries following Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Work Instruction WI-OSB-42-050, Revision 2, dated September 10, 2007, as referenced in Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Optional Service Bulletin No. OSB-42-050\1, dated October 15, 2007. If your aircraft has Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Optional Design Change No. OÄM 42-074 installed, you will need to show compliance with this paragraph through an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.

(2) Incorporate Diamond Aircraft Temporary Revision AMM-TR-OÄM-42-129, dated July 11, 2007, into the FAA-approved maintenance program (e.g., maintenance manual). The owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) may do this action. Make an entry in the aircraft records showing compliance with this portion of the AD following section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).

(3) Update the airplane flight manual (AFM) by inserting a copy of Diamond Aircraft Temporary Revision TR-OÄM-42-129, dated July 11, 2007, into the AFM. The owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) may do this action. Make an entry in the aircraft records showing compliance with this portion of the AD following section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).

Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: (1) We believe that the batteries specified in the MCAI do not fully address the unsafe condition for U.S. registered airplanes. The batteries specified in the MCAI only provide approximately 10 minutes of backup electrical power to the engine full authority digital engine controls (FADECs) in the event of an aircraft electrical failure. In accordance with 14 CFR 23.1353(h), the FAA requires a minimum of 30 minutes of backup electrical power for the engine FADECs in the event of an aircraft electrical failure. To fully address the unsafe condition, Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH has developed different part numbers and procedures for U.S.-registered airplanes. These procedures require the installation of larger capacity batteries than the MCAI required. The batteries specified in Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Work Instruction WI-OSB-42-050, Revision 2, dated September 10, 2007, will provide a minimum of 30 minutes of backup electrical power for the engine FADECs when installed in accordance with Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Work Instruction WI-OSB-42-050, Revision 2, dated September 10, 2007. We have discussed this difference with EASA, and they accepted that the FAA's view is different to require installation of larger capacity batteries. (2) Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Optional Service Bulletin No. OSB-42-050\1, dated October 15, 2007, excludes aircraft with Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH OÄM No. OÄM 42-074 installed because Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH OÄM No. OÄM 42-074 adds equipment that is in the same location as the batteries in Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Optional Service Bulletin No. OSB-42-050\1, dated October 15, 2007. The unsafe condition still needs to be addressed in aircraft with Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH OÄM No. OÄM 42-074 installed. Therefore, this AD does apply to aircraft with Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH OÄM No. OÄM 42-074 installed and owners/operators of aircraft with Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH OÄM No. OÄM 42-074 installed will need to seek an AMOC for those aircraft.