DA42: Bound to happen sooner or later

bdhill1979

bdhill1979

Gone West
From AOPA website:

Double engine failure prompts Diamond AD proposal

The FAA is proposing an airworthiness directive (AD) for the Diamond DA42 Twin Star. The AD would require additional backup batteries for the full authority digital engine controls (FADECs) on TAE125-01 and TAE125-02-99 engines. This action was prompted by the in-flight shutdown of both TAE 125-01 engines on a DA42 flying over Germany in March. The pilot of the aircraft took off with an insufficiently charged aircraft battery. During a moment of low voltage when the aircraft's landing gear was retracting, the FADEC reset. This shut down the engines and caused the propeller blades to feather. Diamond has said that it will cover the cost of the battery installation, regardless of an AD. For more information, see Diamond's service bulletin.
Click to expand...
 
I just think it is silly to design an airplane that can't fly after an electrical failure.

Especially one marketed as a trainer.
 
Yeah, that's crazy that a transient voltage drop could shut down your engines and feather your props. :insane:
 
GatorFC said:
Yeah, that's crazy that a transient voltage drop could shut down your engines and feather your props. :insane:
Click to expand...

The silly thing is that (according to our mechanic) all it would take is the equivalent of a 9 volt battery to power the ECU for long enough to return to land or to recharge the main battery.
 
Its a very nice plane, but not for a trainer :)

That and good for the AD, i always wondered what was going to happen if the FADEC pooped out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top