Airworthiness Directives; Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 148 (Tuesday, August 4, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49269-49271]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-15825]



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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 148 / Tuesday, August 4, 2026 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 49269]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-4636; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00070-A; 
Amendment 39-23430; AD 2026-15-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. (DAI) Model DA20-C1 airplanes. 
This AD was prompted by a report of a certain emergency locator 
transmitter (ELT) not activating due to a missing jumper wire. This AD 
requires a continuity inspection of the D-sub connector of the Artex 
ELT 1000 and, if necessary, corrective actions. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 8, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 8, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-4636; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-91, West Building Fifth Floor, Room W58-213, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For Diamond Aircraft Industries material identified in 
this AD, contact DAI, 1560 Crumlin Sideroad, London, Ontario, Canada, 
N5V 1S2; phone: (519) 457-4041, fax: (519) 457-4045; email: diamondaircraft.com">support-canada@diamondaircraft.com; website: diamondaircraft.com.
    <bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1100 Main, Kansas City, MO 
64105. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-4636.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Reisenauer, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (516) 228-7301; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain DAI Model DA20-
C1 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on May 15, 
2026 (91 FR 27871). The NPRM was prompted by Transport Canada AD CF-
2026-03, dated January 21, 2026 AD CF-2026-03) (referred to as the 
MCAI), issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for 
Canada to correct an unsafe condition on all DAI Model DA20-C1 
airplanes having an Artex ELT 1000 installed. The MCAI states that DAI 
received a report of an occurrence where the Artex ELT 1000 installed 
in a DA20-C1 airplane did not perform as intended. Further 
investigation by the manufacturer revealed that some Artex ELT 1000 
units might not have a jumper wire between the D-sub pins 5 and 12, 
which could prevent the ELT beacon from being activated by the internal 
G-Switch and the aural alert buzzer from being activated in the event 
of an accident.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a continuity inspection of 
the D-sub connector of the Artex ELT 1000 and, if necessary, corrective 
actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-4636.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority 
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant 
data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for 
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. 
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Diamond Aircraft Industries Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. DAC1-25-05 Rev. 1, dated July 19, 2024. This material 
specifies procedures for performing a continuity inspection on the D-
sub connector of the Artex ELT 1000 and, if necessary, installing the 
jumper wire into the D-sub connector.
    This material is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Differences Between This AD and the Referenced Material

    Although step 14 of the Accomplishment/Instructions of Diamond 
Aircraft Industries Mandatory Service Bulletin DAC1-25-05 Rev. 1, dated 
July 19, 2024, requires completing and sending an execution report to 
the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 365 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 49270]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Cost per    Cost on U.S.
                  Action                            Labor cost           Parts cost    product       operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Continuity inspection and corrective       1 work-hour x $85 per hour            $0          $85         $31,025
 actions.                                   = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any repairs that would 
be required based on the results of the inspection. The agency has no 
way of determining the number of airplanes that might need these 
repairs:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Action                                Labor cost              Parts cost   Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Install jumper wire..........................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85           $3                 $88
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. 
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight 
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for 
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary 
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2026-15-18 Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc.: Amendment 39-23430; 
Docket No. FAA-2026-4636; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00070-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 8, 
2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. Model 
DA20-C1 airplanes, certificated in any category, that have an Artex 
emergency locator transmitter (ELT) 1000 installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2562, Emergency 
Locator Beacon.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a certain ELT not activating 
due to a missing jumper wire. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect 
and address a missing jumper wire on the Artex ELT 1000. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in the ELT beacon and 
aural alert buzzer not activating in the event of an accident.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, perform a 
continuity inspection of the D-sub connector and accomplish all 
required corrective actions in accordance with the Accomplishment/
Instructions, Paragraph I.9, of Diamond Aircraft Industries 
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. DAC1-25-05 Rev. 1, dated July 19, 
2024.

(h) No Reporting Requirement

    Although step 14 of the Accomplishment/Instructions of Diamond 
Aircraft Industries Mandatory Service Bulletin No. DAC1-25-05 Rev. 
1, dated July 19, 2024, requires completing and sending an execution 
report to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that 
requirement.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send 
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of 
this AD and email to: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, 
notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal 
inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district 
office/certificate holding district office.

(j) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact William Reisenauer, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228-7301; email: [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph 
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Diamond Aircraft Industries Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 
DAC1-25-05 Rev. 1, dated July 19, 2024.

[[Page 49271]]

    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Diamond Aircraft Industries material identified in this 
AD, contact Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc., 1560 Crumlin Sideroad, 
London, Ontario, Canada, N5V 1S2; phone: (519) 457-4041, fax: (519) 
457-4045; email: diamondaircraft.com">support-canada@diamondaircraft.com; website: 
diamondaircraft.com.
    (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1100 Main, Kansas City, 
MO 64105. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on July 27, 2026.
Paul R. Bernado,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-15825 Filed 8-3-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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