DA-42 in-flight engine failure

[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

Some speculation it was fueled with AVgas

The accident happened just after refuelling and samples of fuel were taken, so we'll see. That was my first thought when I heard of the accident but it's hard to believe that both pilot and fueler made a mistake and didn't notice wrong fuel. LFSN has automatic refuelling only for 100LL while Jet A1 comes with truck (except for helicopters). If it's fuelling mistake then it's either double mistake (pilot and fueler) or pilot went for self-fuelling pump and took 100LL.

[Boatguy]

I have become an owner of a brand new DA-42. After only 24h we experienced an in-flight engine failure.

Would you please post the s/n's of your engines?

[SamoL]

Would you please post the s/n's of your engines?

E4-C-06375
E4-C-06379

[SamoL]

Update 10th Oct 2023:
29.9. The aircraft was moved to the service at Lesce, Slovenia, after the right engine was replaced.
03.10. We get the information from service that a new fuel pump for the left engine will arrive on 6.10.
06.10. Fuel pump didn't arrive. We have used all possible contacts and also a personal walk-into-the-factory, as the person that is taking care of maintenance management for this aircraft is located next door to the factory. We were pretty much ignored all of the time. If you have a Diamond airplane that is not working, it gets quite difficult to get anyone from Diamond to even talk to you.
10.10. Finally we got someone to talk to us. Austroengine has still not given the instruction how to proceed. Most probably they will ask for left engine to be removed and sent to the factory for inspection. It has been two weeks since they were notified that the left engine has the same problem, and they still haven't decided what to do about it.

As this could be a major problem with a lot of Austroengines, at least those of you that have newer models with four cylinder diesels should be aware that this is potentially a huge safety risk that factory might be downplaying. It has been two months since the engine failure and no AD was issued. As it currently looks, the other engine was going down the same path. If you have two engines they most probably are not going to die at the same time for mechanical reasons. DA40 owners are not so lucky.

[Soareyes]

Sammo, Sorry you are having to deal with this, especially in a new plane. Every new plane has issues to be worked out but wow, having to potentially replace two new engines is eye opening. Or eye watering.

One defective part that ruined a new engine - could be bad luck or an isolated mistake in construction. But two defective new engines - I imagine alarm bells are ringing all over the company and there is much going on behind closed doors. Diamond is probably reluctant to say anything until they have checked all their processes. They may be worried about sending you two new engines with potentially the same problem but don't want to say much until they know more?

I took the online maintenance course a few weeks before the piston drama came out. Spent all day for five days with one of the maintenance guys in Canada. Despite major damage control going on behind the scenes, never a peep from the instructor until they were ready to announce the problem and the plan to fix it.

[SamoL]

Update 12th Oct 2023
New left engine has been ordered.

[ememic99]

I was at LJBL today

[dant]

That is a gorgeous airfield.

[ememic99]

That is a gorgeous airfield.

And very busy - a rare gem in our part of Europe. Plus featuring probably the best Diamond service shop.

[Boatguy]

Update 12th Oct 2023
New left engine has been ordered.

Post failure, was the oil analyzed?