The bulletin
Text extracted from the PDF.
FAA Aircraft Certification Service
SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS
INFORMATION BULLETIN SUBJ: Electrical Power SAIB: CE-08-14 Date: February 27, 2008 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.
Introduction
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) informs you of an airworthiness concern regarding Diamond Models DA 40 and DA 40F airplanes equipped with Garmin G1000 installations per Garmin Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA01254WI and STC SA01389WI where possible failure of a transient voltage suppressor (TVS) may result in an increase in workload for the pilot.
This airworthiness action has been taken after consideration of the responses from airplane owners/operators through relevant associations and type clubs, using the procedures found in the Small Airplane Directorate Airworthiness Directives Manual Supplement (Airworthiness Concern Process Guide).
At this time, this airworthiness concern is not considered an unsafe condition that would warrant an airworthiness directive (AD) action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR part
39).
Background
Diamond DA 40 and DA 40F airplanes equipped with TVS’s installed per Garmin STC SA01254WI and STC SA01389WI have been reported failing in the field. A failed TVS causes momentary smoke in the cockpit and/or loud popping sound. Additionally, failures of these devices can lead to loss of the standby attitude indicator and/or audio panel due to the inability to provide continuous power since this equipment is installed without a fuse to remove the TVS from the circuit in the event of a TVS failure.
Recommendation
Per Garmin Service Bulletin No. 0738, revision B, dated October 31, 2007, we recommend you inspect to determine the date codes of any TVS installed on your airplane. If any installed devices fall within the date code specified by the referenced service bulletin, we recommend you remove and replace the TVS as needed.
The service bulletin also specifies that you send a record of the completed inspection to Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc., Canada. Garmin owns the STC and is working with Diamond to assure compliance and proper support of the issue. We also recommend that you complete the inspection per the above referenced Garmin service bulletin within the next 60 days or 10 hours, whichever comes first.
For Further Information Contact
Daniel Hilton, Aerospace Engineer, FAA Wichita ACO, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, KS 67209, telephone: (316) 946-4173, fax: (316) 946-4107, e-mail: daniel.hilton@faa.gov.
For Related Service Information Contact
Customer Support DIAMOND AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES, INC.
1560 Crumlin Sideroad London, Ontario, Canada N5V 1S2 Phone: 519-457-4041 Fax: 519-457-4045 Email: custsupp@diamondair.com
Registered aircraft it may concern
Registry models matched by Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 40 and DA 40F, the same way as ADs, with the most registered aircraft first.