EASA AD 2022-0240R1
SUPERSEDED BY EASA AD 2023-0163
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0240R1 is an amendment addressing piston failures in Austro Engine GmbH E4 and E4P engines installed on Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 40 NG, DA 42 NG, DA 42 M-NG, and DA 62 aeroplanes. The directive mandates repetitive oil analyses and replacement of pistons and related engine parts to prevent engine power loss and potential loss of aircraft control.
What Changed
This revision of EASA AD 2022-0240 allows the release to service of the aeroplane for a limited number of flight hours after the second and subsequent oil analyses without waiting for results, whereas the first oil analysis result must still be awaited before release. It also provides more precise instructions on part replacement and updates compliance intervals for oil analysis and part replacement.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it ensures early detection and correction of piston dimensional deviations that could lead to engine failure. Operators and maintenance organizations must adhere to the specified oil analysis intervals and part replacement requirements to maintain aircraft airworthiness and safety. Compliance helps prevent in-flight engine power loss and enhances operational reliability.
What To Do
Operators must perform initial oil analysis within 15 flight hours for Groups 1 and 3 engines and within 25 flight hours for Groups 2 and 4 engines, followed by repetitive analyses at specified intervals. If aluminium content exceeds limits, affected engine parts must be replaced before the next flight or the engine core replaced. For Group 3 and 4 engines, piston and related part replacement must occur before exceeding 900 or 1000 flight hours respectively, or within 15 or 25 flight hours after the effective date. Compliance deadlines start from 20 December 2022.
AI-generated summary from official EASA source document. Always verify against the original.