DA-42 in-flight engine failure

[Nikandsteve]

Wow that’s harrowing. One of our engines was replaced on a 2023 at 51 hours under the AD. Is yours part of it? I know it can be done later but we opted to do it at prebuy

[dant]

Out of curiosity what exactly am I looking for between the "Not Acceptable" and "Acceptable" gears in the earlier picture? Apart from some grease/oil staining they look the same to me. :/

[Soareyes]

As I recall it is the coloration of the gear. The darker color indicated the gear was running hot because of excessive friction. Something to do with a "stack up" of tolerances of parts behind the gear. Diamond said if there was any question to take a picture and send it to them for a decision. Seemed a bit subjective.

[SamoL]

Update 11th Sep 2023: a new engine was ordered and will be manufactured on 20th of September! The mechanic said there is no point in checking the other engine as most probably there will be an AD with instructions and he will need to do it again anyway. This is why the pump was not rotating (image).

[SamoL]

Update 26th Sept 2023: New engine was manufactured on 20th as promised by Diamond and is being installed today - as this is the first opportunity as it needs to be done outside. Left fuel pump will also be checked.

[SamoL]

Update 27th Sept 2023: Inspection showed that gears on the left fuel pump were also worn out, but didn't fall apart yet (after just 24h). We will get CRS release for one flight to fly to a service center to get the job done properly on the left engine.
This means that both engines of my DA42 were affected by the same problem.

[krellis]

Update 27th Sept 2023: Inspection showed that gears on the left fuel pump were also worn out, but didn't fall apart yet (after just 24h). We will get CRS release for one flight to fly to a service center to get the job done properly on the left engine.
This means that both engines of my DA42 were affected by the same problem.

Glad you were able to get on the ground safely with the engine failure.

These Austro issues pretty much negate the argument of twin engine redundancy and safety. Too bad there aren't other options for these planes...

[Soareyes]

"Glad you were able to get on the ground safely with the engine failure.

These Austro issues pretty much negate the argument of twin engine redundancy and safety."


Except for the part where he was able to get it on the ground safely. Unlike, for instance, the recent DA50 accident with a single Continental engine.

Agree, twin pistons are historically not safer than singles but I do suspect that losing an engine in a Diamond twin is a bit safer than losing one in a Baron, etc.

I still would like to have a parachute.

[ememic99]

Except for the part where he was able to get it on the ground safely. Unlike, for instance, the recent DA50 accident with a single Continental engine.

And unfortunately recent DA62 crash with double engine failure.

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/345793

[Nikandsteve]

Except for the part where he was able to get it on the ground safely. Unlike, for instance, the recent DA50 accident with a single Continental engine.

And unfortunately recent DA62 crash with double engine failure.

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/345793

Some speculation it was fueled with AVgas