Piston MSB affecting newer engines - MSB-E4-043

[Soareyes]

Nothing official but I was chatting this week with someone who works in a Diamond service center. They said that for the new pistons still undergoing testing Austro has gone back to the original piston supplier of Mercedes engines. Some of those older Mercedes engines, including mine, are subject to the first piston AD for possible out of spec dimensions. One hopes that is something that can be double checked and corrected before installation. They said the 'bowl' in the new piston has been redesigned to reduce the possibility of cracking.

On another subject, they made a comment about windscreens spontaneously cracking in DA50s while on the ground. Theoretically from environmental heating and cooling with stress risers coming from the screws/bolts around the edge. I haven't seen anything in the forums about that.

[Ehambsch]

My engine went in for an inspection and tested positive for a crack in one of the pistons—2024 model with under 270 hours. My A&P advised waiting until the redesigned pistons are available at the end of April to wrap up the inspection process. So, it’s AOG, and now it’s a game of hurrying up to wait. According to the A&P, the issue stems from the new piston design with its bowl shape. It seems the fuel injectors create a star-shaped spray pattern on the pistons, which has led to hot spots forming on this newer design. I think I’ve got that right.

[mfdutra]

Sorry to hear that. You'll be AOG for a long time now. They will need to ship the engine to Canada, along with god knows how many others.

[Bryce]

I wonder if there will now be tariffs assessed or attempted on the import back into the US. There was a post on Beechtalk of someone who sent in their Pratt turbine engines for O/H and Pratt emailed saying to expect a $150-200k tariff per engine upon sending it back to the customer.

[MarkO]

It might pay to ask Diamond to pause the warranty on the rest of your plane since it will be AOG.
Good luck with a speedy repair!

[Ehambsch]

Service center is able to change pistons, no need to ship to Canada.
I've had great service thus far from My Flight.

[ingramleedy]

Service center is able to change pistons, no need to ship to Canada.
I've had great service thus far from My Flight.

MyFlight folks are great! So --- does that mean there is a new certified piston that will be available in April/May and the service centers will be able to do the replacements. That would be great news!

[bayareacfi]

Service center is able to change pistons, no need to ship to Canada.
I've had great service thus far from My Flight.

Maybe some can, but not all. I was told to expect shipping the engine to Canada and multiple weeks (hopefully not multiple months...) to get it back.

That was before the trade war B.S. so who knows if there's a new plan now.

[chili4way]

Diamond is announcing their plans today for the terminating actions for MSB-E4-039 and MSB-E4-043. See the article on the Diamond Pilots Association website:

https://diamond-pilots.org/articles-resources/

[Ed McDonald]

My aircraft recently underwent the MSB work. While Diamond covered the piston replacement by a shop other than my AMO/A&P, Diamond is not paying for the time to remove or re-install the engine to the airframe. This amounts to about 35 labour/labor hours per engine.

What has been the experience of others with the same issue? Has anyone else experienced the same thing where you are out-of-pocket for this MSB?