Aircraft
Certification Service Washington, DC U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration
CE-08-14
February 27, 2008
This is information only. Recommendations
aren’t mandatory.
Introduction
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) informs you
of an airworthiness concern regarding Diamond Models DA 40 and DA 40F
airplanes equipped with Garmin G1000 installations per Garmin
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA01254WI and STC SA01389WI where
possible failure of a transient voltage suppressor (TVS) may result in
an increase in workload for the pilot.
This airworthiness action has been taken after consideration of the
responses from airplane owners/operators through relevant associations
and type clubs, using the procedures found in the Small Airplane
Directorate Airworthiness Directives Manual Supplement (Airworthiness
Concern Process Guide).
At this time, this airworthiness concern is not considered an unsafe
condition that would warrant an airworthiness directive (AD) action
under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR part 39).
Background
Diamond DA 40 and DA 40F airplanes equipped with TVS’s installed
per Garmin STC SA01254WI and STC SA01389WI have been reported failing
in the field. A failed TVS causes momentary smoke in the cockpit and/or
loud popping sound. Additionally, failures of these devices can lead to
loss of the standby attitude indicator and/or audio panel due to the
inability to provide continuous power since this equipment is installed
without a fuse to remove the TVS from the circuit in the event of a TVS
failure.
Recommendation
Per Garmin Service Bulletin No. 0738, revision B, dated October 31,
2007, we recommend you inspect to determine the date codes of any TVS
installed on your airplane. If any installed devices fall within the
date code specified by the referenced service bulletin, we recommend
you remove and replace the TVS as needed.
The service bulletin also specifies that you send a record of the
completed inspection to Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc., Canada.
Garmin owns the STC and is working with Diamond to assure compliance
and proper support of the issue. We also recommend that you complete
the inspection per the above referenced Garmin service bulletin within
the next 60 days or 10 hours, whichever comes first.