Airworthiness Directive: Diamond Aircraft DA 40 Series Fuel Tank Hose Inspection and Part Replacement

The FAA is issuing a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) that supersedes AD 2020-14-06, targeting all Diamond Aircraft Industries (DAI) Model DA 40, DA 40 F, and DA 40 NG airplanes. The directive addresses a safety concern related to fuel tank connection hoses, specifically the detachment of rubber material inside the fuel tank chambers, which poses an unsafe condition. The original AD 2020-14-06 required operators to replace affected parts, inspect fuel tank chambers, remove detached rubber material, and prohibited reinstallation of affected parts. The new directive retains all of those requirements while expanding scope to cover additional affected parts discovered on DA 40 NG airplanes during production. The manufacturer, Diamond Aircraft Industries, has published updated service material specifically for the DA 40 NG model to address the newly identified parts. This AD mandates the use of that updated service documentation for compliance on DA 40 NG aircraft, while DA 40 and DA 40 F models continue under the previously applicable procedures. The FAA is issuing this directive to eliminate the ongoing unsafe condition and ensure the airworthiness of the affected fleet. Non-compliance could result in fuel system degradation, potentially leading to engine malfunction or failure in flight.

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