FAA Warns Diamond Planes of Self-Moving Rudder Risk
Published Date: 7/17/2026
Rule
Summary
If you fly a Diamond DA 42, DA 42 NG, or DA 42 M-NG, listen up! The FAA found a problem where a cracked part in the nose landing gear can mess with your rudder, making it move on its own. Starting July 20, 2026, you’ll need to update your flight manual, check this part regularly, and replace it if it’s damaged to keep flying safe and sound.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Replace Damaged Rod Ends Before Flight
If any inspection finds a crack, deformation, corrosion, damage, or lack of free movement of the spherical bearing, you must replace the affected NLG hydraulic actuator rod end with a serviceable part before further flight. As of July 20, 2026 you may not install an affected part unless it meets the AD’s serviceable-part definition. The FAA’s cost estimates show on-condition replacement costs of $211 for replacing the rod end (1 work-hour at $85 plus $126 parts) or $4,671 to replace the entire NLG hydraulic actuator (6 work-hours at $85 plus $4,161 parts).
Mandatory NLG Rod-End Inspections
You must inspect the specified nose landing gear (NLG) hydraulic actuator rod ends for cracks, deformation, corrosion, damage, and free movement of the spherical bearing within the initial times set by the AD (for airplanes with more than 4,000 hours TTIS: within 5 flight cycles; 4,000 or less and more than 1,000: within 50 flight cycles; up to and including 1,000: within 2,000 flight cycles; newly certificated airplanes: within 4,000 flight cycles after issuance). Inspections must be repeated at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight cycles. The FAA estimates the inspection labor is 4 work-hours at $85/hour = $340 per inspection cycle and that the AD affects 267 U.S.-registered airplanes.
Must Add New AFM Limitation
If you operate a Diamond DA 42, DA 42 NG, or DA 42 M-NG, you must add the specified operating limitation into the Limitations section of your airplane flight manual (AFM) before the airplane reaches 1,000 hours total time-in-service (TTIS) or before further flight after July 20, 2026, whichever is later. The AD explicitly allows the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate to perform this AFM revision and requires you to record compliance in the airplane maintenance records under 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v).
Inspection Reporting and Paperwork Burden
You must report inspection results within 14 days after performing any inspection required by the AD (or within 14 days after the effective date for the first inspection), including a no-findings report for the first inspection. The FAA estimates reporting takes about 1 hour per response (OMB Control Number 2120-0056).
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