DA40 NG Anomaly
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 2:41 pm
Hi - first post here and this seemed like a good place to share this experience.
I'm a relatively new PPL with about 160 total hours, 1/2 of which is post certificate. All of my flying has been in some version of a DA40. I think I've flown 5 of them. On a recent rental with a brand new (100 TT) DA40 NG I was ~10 minutes out from my origin airport on cruise climb at 85% power through 3500' towards 8000' on a perfect VFR morning when I heard a big bang up front with a parallel and immediate pitch down attitude and power reduction. Fearing a total power loss I began to look for a landing spot. Within 30 seconds or so i realized the engine was still running, but laboring. Both ECU A and ECU B FAIL alerts lit up on the PFD and I also received an audible alert. I had flown this airplane 4 times previously
I never actually lost power but the engine would thereafter not advance power past 45%. Realizing I had a good shot of making it back to my origin airport about 8-9 miles away I made the turn and announced my situation to the tower. I repeatedly tried to advance power but it would never exceed 45%. Made it back safe and sound
The diagnosis thus far is vague. It looks like an intake line after the turbo came loose and caused air to escape. But there's no real indication as to why. To repeat the above, this is a brand new airplane and all parts are stock. It's been reported to Diamond but I've heard nothing back
I'm acutely interested in the feedback because I have a DA40 NG on order for late spring 2019 delivery.
I just thought I'd raise awareness
I'm a relatively new PPL with about 160 total hours, 1/2 of which is post certificate. All of my flying has been in some version of a DA40. I think I've flown 5 of them. On a recent rental with a brand new (100 TT) DA40 NG I was ~10 minutes out from my origin airport on cruise climb at 85% power through 3500' towards 8000' on a perfect VFR morning when I heard a big bang up front with a parallel and immediate pitch down attitude and power reduction. Fearing a total power loss I began to look for a landing spot. Within 30 seconds or so i realized the engine was still running, but laboring. Both ECU A and ECU B FAIL alerts lit up on the PFD and I also received an audible alert. I had flown this airplane 4 times previously
I never actually lost power but the engine would thereafter not advance power past 45%. Realizing I had a good shot of making it back to my origin airport about 8-9 miles away I made the turn and announced my situation to the tower. I repeatedly tried to advance power but it would never exceed 45%. Made it back safe and sound
The diagnosis thus far is vague. It looks like an intake line after the turbo came loose and caused air to escape. But there's no real indication as to why. To repeat the above, this is a brand new airplane and all parts are stock. It's been reported to Diamond but I've heard nothing back
I'm acutely interested in the feedback because I have a DA40 NG on order for late spring 2019 delivery.
I just thought I'd raise awareness