Grounding points DA42

Any DA42 related topics.

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Borealis
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Grounding points DA42

Post by Borealis »

Hi,

We're upgrading our DA40 to a new DA42, and have been training for our MEP ratings on a school DA42. It is a wonderful world to enter, and while I love our DA40 to bits, I cannot wait to have the DA42 delivered.

One thing puzzled me though. The school's SOP specifies that they should not use the exhaust as a grounding point when fueling, but in stead they use the wing tie-down rings. Apparently the school has a had problems with the exhaust pipes cracking and becoming damaged.

As far as I can see from the AFM, it's only the exhaust pipes that are mentioned as grouding points. Our DA40 of course has a dedicated little metal bit by the foot-step which seems like a sturdy and safe way to ground the airplane.

Does anybody else have any experience with the exhaust pipes becoming damaged, or the tie-down rings being a safe alternative to use for grouding?
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Steve
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Re: Grounding points DA42

Post by Steve »

Borealis wrote: Fri Jun 04, 2021 8:24 am Hi,

Our DA40 of course has a dedicated little metal bit by the foot-step which seems like a sturdy and safe way to ground the airplane.
That little metal bit is actually the OAT temperature sensor. Not a good place to ground the aircraft (although it is connected to the ground plane of the aircraft, I'd be afraid of damaging the sensor). I have always used the tie down ring. I have also seen folks use the metal step (which is unpainted on my airplane), but some DA40s have this part painted...

Steve
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Rick
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Re: Grounding points DA42

Post by Rick »

All three DA40's I've owned had small flat metal tabs behind both the left and right foot steps - NOT the small round OAT probe on the left side, but very close to it. These tabs are the approved grounding point for fueling - that is their sole purpose - but most line guys don't know about them, and they are not obvious until you point them out. My chrome-plated exhaust pipe has lots of scratches from fueling that happened when I was not around......

I'm not sure about the DA42 though.
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Steve
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Re: Grounding points DA42

Post by Steve »

Interesting. Mine (2001) doesn't have those tabs. Because I don't want the grounding clamp attached to anything other than the tie down ring, I always observe when someone else is fueling my aircraft.
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Re: Grounding points DA42

Post by TimS »

On Cirrus and Cessna TTx, the tie down ring is not connected to the engine or any other metal in the plane.
So, unless Diamond specifically ran a grounding wire to the tie down ring, this is likely not effective as a ground.

Tim

note: I was told about the issue on the TTx by an owner, I never looked it up. For Cirrus, I did confirm with the factory.
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Rick
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Re: Grounding points DA42

Post by Rick »

I did manage to find a picture that shows the grounding tab on a 2004 DA40, same as on my 2007. So Diamond must have added them after 2001...
Grounding Tab.jpg
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Borealis
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Re: Grounding points DA42

Post by Borealis »

Our DA40 is a 2005 model and has those dedicated flat metal tabs behind the foot step on both sides. (It is definitely not an OAS sensor).

But my question is really on the DA42; if the tie down rings are connected to ground? Does anybody know?
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Re: Grounding points DA42

Post by cptndavid »

The exhaust pipe is the grounding point for your DA 42. The pipe has not been broken,damaged or scratched. Early on after I purchased my 42 one of the pipes had the inner part disconnected but that was not from grounding the airplane.I bought a new tail pipe and all is good.
I bought a spare pipe on e bay about a year ago and have it in my garage if I ever need it.
Enjoy your DA 42 it is the best.
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Re: Grounding points DA42

Post by blsewardjr »

I had the grounding tabs added to my 2003 DA40.
Bernie Seward, IR, AGI
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Re: Grounding points DA42

Post by CFIDave »

You should be using the exhaust pipes to ground a DA42 per the AFM. I've never heard of this causing a problem.
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