EASA AD 2024-0235
Doors — Rear Passenger Door Latching Mechanism — Inspection / Modification / Airplane Flight Manual — Amendment
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2024-0235 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH DA 42, DA 42 M, DA 42 NG, and DA 42 M-NG aeroplanes of all serial numbers. This directive addresses issues related to the rear passenger door latching mechanism and requires inspection, modification, and an amendment to the Airplane Flight Manual. It aims to enhance safety by preventing passenger door separation during flight.
What Changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2024-0235 introduces mandatory actions including an amendment to the Airplane Flight Manual, installation of placards, inspection and modification of the rear passenger door latching and safety hook mechanisms, and repetitive inspections at specified intervals. It also requires reporting inspection results to Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH. This directive is a new regulation and does not supersede any previous ADs.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a safety risk involving passenger door separation, which could lead to structural damage, loss of control, or injuries on the ground. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to ensure continued airworthiness and regulatory compliance. The directive also introduces new inspection and reporting requirements that impact maintenance planning and operational procedures.
What To Do
Operators of affected Diamond DA 42 series aeroplanes must implement the Airplane Flight Manual Temporary Revision within 50 flight hours or 50 days after 13 December 2024, whichever occurs first. They must perform initial inspections and modifications of the door latching mechanism within the same timeframe, followed by repetitive inspections every 200 flight hours or 12 months. Any discrepancies found must be corrected before the next flight, and inspection results must be reported to Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH within 7 days of inspection.