Aircraft
Certification Service Washington, DC U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration
CE-07-38
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:
Sarjapur.Nagarajan@faa.gov, or Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer;
telephone (816) 329-4144; email: Mike.Kiesov@faa.gov.