{"id":"F2005L00919","name":"AD/DA40/5 - Aircraft Flight Manual Operating Limitation","slug":"ad-da40-5-aircraft-flight-manual-operating-limitation","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":34357,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2005L00919-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Diamond DA40 Series Aeroplanes","sectionType":"division","heading":"Diamond DA40 Series Aeroplanes","content":"### Diamond DA40 Series Aeroplanes\n\n| AD/DA40/5 | Aircraft Flight Manual Operating Limitation | 6/2005 DM |\n| --------- | ------------------------------------------- | --------- |\n\n| Applicability: | DA 40-D aeroplanes equipped with Thielert TAE125-01 engines without the applicable Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) software update (Thielert Aircraft Engine GmbH Service Bulletin TM TAE 125-0004 Revision 4 and AD/THIELERT/3 refer). |\n| -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | 1. Amend the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) [Document Number 6.01.05-( )] Operating Limitations, Section 2.4 Power-Plant Limitations adding the following:                                                                                              |\n|                | Power settings for prolonged descents above 5000ft must not fall below 30%.                                                                                                                                                                           |\n|                | Amendment of the AFM may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this Directive in the AFM.                                                                                                                                                            |\n|                | 2. Remove the Requirement 1 AFM amendment.                                                                                                                                                                                                            |\n|                | Note: LBA AD D-2005-145 (EASA approval 2005-2921) refers.                                                                                                                                                                                             |\n| Compliance:    | For Requirement 1 - Before 30 April 2005.                                                                                                                                                                                                             |\n|                | For Requirement 2 - Concurrent with accomplishment of the FADEC software update required by AD/THIELERT/3.                                                                                                                                            |\n|                | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 20 April 2005.                                                                                                                                                                                      |\n\n| Background: | This Directive requires a temporary amendment to be inserted in the Operating Limitations of the AFM. This is an interim measure to prevent loss of power after prolonged descent at idle power setting at low outside air temperatures. The AFM amendment is to be removed when the software update to the FADEC unit is accomplished. |\n| ----------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nJames Coyne  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n13 April 2005","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/DA40/5","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/DA40/5","content":"## AD/DA40/5","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Aircraft Flight Manual Operating Limitat","sectionType":"part","heading":"Aircraft Flight Manual Operating Limitation","content":"## Aircraft Flight Manual Operating Limitation","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"6/2005 DM","sectionType":"part","heading":"6/2005 DM","content":"## 6/2005 DM","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope is confined to a temporary AFM operating limitation for DA40‑D aeroplanes without the FADEC software update and to its removal once the update is installed. The instrument does not broaden applicability beyond those aircraft or replace the FADEC update requirement; it functions as an interim operational restriction pending compliance with AD/THIELERT/3 (Applicability; Requirement 1–2; Background)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability: applies only to DA 40-D aeroplanes lacking the Thielert FADEC software update (Applicability).","Operational prescription: specific power‑setting restriction—'Power settings for prolonged descents above 5000ft must not fall below 30%' (Requirement 1).","Administrative action: amendment is effected by inserting a copy of the Directive into the AFM (Requirement 1).","Temporary/conditional nature: AFM amendment must be removed once the FADEC software update is accomplished (Requirement 2).","Compliance timing: a firm compliance deadline for the AFM amendment (before 30 April 2005) and an effective date (20 April 2005) (Compliance).","Interdependence with another AD: removal is tied to completion of the FADEC software update required by AD/THIELERT/3 (Requirement 2; Note).","Safety rationale tied to environmental condition: the background links the restriction to preventing loss of power after prolonged descent at idle power with low outside air temperatures (Background)."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires a temporary Aircraft Flight Manual operating limitation for Diamond DA40‑D aeroplanes without the Thielert FADEC software update: during prolonged descents above 5,000 ft pilots must not reduce power below 30%. Owners/operators must insert this directive into the AFM by 30 April 2005 and remove it once the FADEC software update required by AD/THIELERT/3 is installed. The measure is an interim step to address the risk of loss of power at low outside‑air temperatures."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a targeted interim safety measure addressing a specific technical defect. The scope remains precisely limited to the identified safety risk and the specified aircraft/engine combination."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 250 words)","Only 2 substantive requirements with clear sequencing","Single defined term (FADEC - explained in text)","No nested cross-references beyond a single reference to related directive AD/THIELERT/3","Simple conditional logic: Requirement 1 applies until Requirement 2 is triggered","Plain language background explanation included"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — essentially a mandatory safety notice issued by Australia's aviation regulator (CASA) to fix a dangerous problem with specific aircraft.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Targets:** Diamond DA40-D aeroplanes with Thielert TAE125-01 engines that haven't had a specific software update to their engine control system (FADEC).\n- **The problem:** These planes can lose engine power during long descents at idle power when flying above 5,000 feet in cold weather.\n- **The fix (temporary):** Owners must insert a warning into their Aircraft Flight Manual (the pilot's operating handbook) stating that power settings must stay above 30% during prolonged descents above 5,000 feet. This can be done by simply slipping a copy of this directive into the manual.\n- **The permanent fix:** Once the engine software is updated (as required by a separate directive, AD/THIELERT/3), this temporary manual amendment must be removed.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of affected Diamond DA40-D aircraft\n- Maintenance organisations servicing these aircraft\n\n**Why it matters:**\nEngine failure during descent is obviously dangerous — especially if it happens unexpectedly when the pilot is preparing to land. This directive prevents accidents while waiting for the permanent software fix."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-da40-5-aircraft-flight-manual-operating-limitation","history":"/api/acts/ad-da40-5-aircraft-flight-manual-operating-limitation/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-da40-5-aircraft-flight-manual-operating-limitation/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-da40-5-aircraft-flight-manual-operating-limitation/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-da40-5-aircraft-flight-manual-operating-limitation/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-da40-5-aircraft-flight-manual-operating-limitation/documents"}}