FAA Mandates Checks for Diamond Planes' Wobbly Passenger Doors
Published Date: 1/8/2026
Rule
Summary
If you fly a Diamond DA 42, DA 42 NG, or DA 42 M-NG, listen up! The FAA found some passenger doors might come loose, so they’re making you update your flight manual, fix the plane, and regularly check the door latches for damage or problems. These new rules kick in February 12, 2026, and help keep everyone safe without breaking the bank.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
Possible Replacement Costs If Problems Found
If inspections find defects, you must accomplish corrective actions before further flight, which may include replacing parts such as safety hooks, springs, retaining brackets, bolts, pins, or gas springs. The FAA listed per-replacement estimated parts and labor costs (examples: safety hook replacement parts $391 + labor; gas spring parts $397 + labor), but did not estimate how many airplanes will need replacements.
Flight Manual Must Be Updated Quickly
If you operate a Diamond DA 42, DA 42 NG, or DA 42 M-NG airplane, you must revise your airplane flight manual (AFM) within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 50 days after February 12, 2026 to add the specified operating limitations and procedures. The FAA estimates this AFM revision takes 1 work-hour ($85) per airplane and the rule applies to 222 U.S.-registered airplanes.
Initial Door Inspection and Placards Required
Within 50 hours TIS or 50 days after February 12, 2026 you must perform the initial inspection of the passenger door latching and safety hooks and install cabin placards per the Diamond work instruction. The FAA estimates the initial inspection costs 3 work-hours ($255) and placard installation adds 1 work-hour plus $25 parts ($110), with total per-airplane estimates listed and 222 affected U.S. airplanes.
Ongoing Repetitive Inspections and Reporting
After the initial inspection, you must repeat inspections: first within 200 hours TIS or 12 months, then at intervals not to exceed 210 hours TIS or 13 months. Each inspection cycle is estimated at 1 work-hour ($85) per airplane, and you must report the results of the initial and each repetitive inspection to Diamond Aircraft Industries (DAI) within 30 days after the inspection.
Paperwork and Mandatory Reporting Time
Reporting inspection results to the manufacturer is mandatory and is a collection of information covered by OMB Control Number 2120-0056. The FAA estimates public reporting takes about 1 hour per response (reviewing instructions, gathering data, and submitting). Reports must be sent within 30 days after the initial or each repetitive inspection.
Credit If You Already Performed Required Work
You may take credit for the AD's required actions if you performed them before February 12, 2026 using Diamond Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB 42-149 and MSB 42NG-095 dated December 2, 2024 and Work Instructions Revision 1 dated December 5, 2024. Taking credit avoids repeating those actions after the AD effective date.
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