Airworthiness Directives; Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. Airplanes

Official abstract: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. (DAI) Model DA 40, DA 40 F, and DA 40 NG airplanes. This AD was prompted by several reports of passenger door separation during flight. This AD requires revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to provide the flight crew with revised operating limitations, emergency procedures, and normal operating procedures; inspecting the passenger door latching mechanism and safety hook mechanism areas and performing corrective action, as applicable; inspecting the safety hook, latching bolts, front and rear door guide blocks, canopy and passenger door warning light, carbon hinges, tension spring, retaining block, safety hook push button, latching mechanism spring, gas spring, and door frame; measuring the passenger door handle actuation force; modifying the airplane with placards; replacing the gas spring; and replacing the hook assembly, retaining block, door guide blocks, and door sealant if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.