DA40 2023 starter engaged uncommanded during flight
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- N301MJ
- 2 Diamonds Member
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- First Name: Jonathan
- Aircraft Type: DA40NG
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DA40 2023 starter engaged uncommanded during flight
Just declared an emergency and landed at Danville. 33 hrs on this plane.
Was cruise on AP 75% power. G1000 warning bell red annunciator comes on. Persists for about a minute. I start grabbing altitude and heading towards nearest which was about 15nm away.
Issue goes away momentarily.
It comes back on, cockpit starts to smell like burning. Bell continues to go off. Landed safely.
Was cruise on AP 75% power. G1000 warning bell red annunciator comes on. Persists for about a minute. I start grabbing altitude and heading towards nearest which was about 15nm away.
Issue goes away momentarily.
It comes back on, cockpit starts to smell like burning. Bell continues to go off. Landed safely.
- gyro3816
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Re: DA40 2023 starter engaged uncommanded during flight
Based on you mentioning power setting (fadec), I assume your airplane is an DA40 NG.
Adam
CSEL, CMEL, Instrument
N886KC DA40 XLS, G1000 w GFC700
CSEL, CMEL, Instrument
N886KC DA40 XLS, G1000 w GFC700
- Colin
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Re: DA40 2023 starter engaged uncommanded during flight
Yes, he is flying a DA40NG. The registration is there in his little member-info card.
Colin Summers, PP Multi-Engine IFR, ~3,000hrs
colin@mightycheese.com * send email rather than PM
http://www.flyingsummers.com
N972RD DA42 G1000 2.0 s/n 42.AC100 (sold!)
N971RD DA40 G1000 s/n 40.508 (traded)
colin@mightycheese.com * send email rather than PM
http://www.flyingsummers.com
N972RD DA42 G1000 2.0 s/n 42.AC100 (sold!)
N971RD DA40 G1000 s/n 40.508 (traded)
- Colin
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Re: DA40 2023 starter engaged uncommanded during flight
Good job getting it on the ground. We will all be very interested to hear what they find caused the alarm.
Colin Summers, PP Multi-Engine IFR, ~3,000hrs
colin@mightycheese.com * send email rather than PM
http://www.flyingsummers.com
N972RD DA42 G1000 2.0 s/n 42.AC100 (sold!)
N971RD DA40 G1000 s/n 40.508 (traded)
colin@mightycheese.com * send email rather than PM
http://www.flyingsummers.com
N972RD DA42 G1000 2.0 s/n 42.AC100 (sold!)
N971RD DA40 G1000 s/n 40.508 (traded)
- N301MJ
- 2 Diamonds Member
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Re: DA40 2023 starter engaged uncommanded during flight
Yea I will keep you guys posted. From everyone I've spoken with this is something they haven't seen before.
I was able to replicate the issue after running her idle on ground for 20 minutes, did another ECU run up, went fine, then as I was taxing back I got it again, multiple times. Southtec guys have been great hopefully we can figure more out in the am.
I was able to replicate the issue after running her idle on ground for 20 minutes, did another ECU run up, went fine, then as I was taxing back I got it again, multiple times. Southtec guys have been great hopefully we can figure more out in the am.
- Boatguy
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Re: DA40 2023 starter engaged uncommanded during flight
Glad to hear you were able to get down safely.N301MJ wrote: ↑Wed Sep 06, 2023 9:36 pm Yea I will keep you guys posted. From everyone I've spoken with this is something they haven't seen before.
I was able to replicate the issue after running her idle on ground for 20 minutes, did another ECU run up, went fine, then as I was taxing back I got it again, multiple times. Southtec guys have been great hopefully we can figure more out in the am.
Sounds like a faulty starter relay, or short in the starter switch or wiring which is triggering the relay. Then the question is what has it done to the starter itself and to the flywheel with which I assume the starter engages.
This is a new plane. If AOG time is significant, I suggest you ask for an extension to your engine warranty.
- N301MJ
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Re: DA40 2023 starter engaged uncommanded during flight
Thanks for the suggestions and a few folks I've spoken with have alluded to the same probable sources. Hoping there isn't significant damages. Will update once I know more!Boatguy wrote: ↑Wed Sep 06, 2023 9:58 pmGlad to hear you were able to get down safely.N301MJ wrote: ↑Wed Sep 06, 2023 9:36 pm Yea I will keep you guys posted. From everyone I've spoken with this is something they haven't seen before.
I was able to replicate the issue after running her idle on ground for 20 minutes, did another ECU run up, went fine, then as I was taxing back I got it again, multiple times. Southtec guys have been great hopefully we can figure more out in the am.
Sounds like a faulty starter relay, or short in the starter switch or wiring which is triggering the relay. Then the question is what has it done to the starter itself and to the flywheel with which I assume the starter engages.
This is a new plane. If AOG time is significant, I suggest you ask for an extension to your engine warranty.
- N301MJ
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Re: DA40 2023 starter engaged uncommanded during flight
Pulled the starter fuse after start, did some tests, didn't get any fumes after 30min on the ground then flew her 85nm to RUQ today. After landing and clearing the runway, the starter annunciator came back on (with the fuse pulled). So the whole situation doesn't make any sense at all. There's obviously something seriously wrong with the wiring/electrical. I pulled the ESS 30amp, pulled her into southtec and called it a day. This airplane has 35 hrs now total. I had another thread about ECU failures in the same aircraft which is what I was investigating in the first place. Also have a faulty left fuel tank sensor. When they sent me photos of the airframe with the wrong decals I should have been more sceptical. The attention to detail just isn't there. I honestly don't trust this airplane at all or remotely feel safe in it. I could have had clients on board or family. What a nightmare. I guess I have to wait a few weeks now to get a better sense of what is going on.
- dmloftus
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Re: DA40 2023 starter engaged uncommanded during flight
I hope your experience is unique and temporary. I have had excellent reliability and great pleasure from my DA40XLS. Glenn's guys are great at Southtec and hope you get to the bottom of this quickly, and most importantly, safely.