# [Amended]
**AGENCY:**
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
**ACTION:**
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
**SUMMARY:**
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. Model DA 62 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of baggage nets installed with defective buckles, which may result in failure of the baggage net to restrain the baggage or cargo, which could lead to injury to the occupants in the case of an emergency landing. This proposed AD would require identifying and replacing the affected part. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
**DATES:**
The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by October 16, 2023.
**ADDRESSES:**
You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
• *Federal eRulemaking Portal:* Go to *regulations.gov.* Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• *Fax:* (202) 493-2251.
• *Mail:* U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
• *Hand Delivery:* Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
*AD Docket:* You may examine the AD docket at *regulations.gov* under Docket No. FAA-2023-1812; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
*Material Incorporated by Reference:*
• For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc., Att: Thit Tun, 1560 Crumlin Road, London, N5V 1S2, Canada; phone: (519) 457-4000; email: *[email protected];* website: *diamondaircraft.com.*
• You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Chirayu Gupta, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228-7300; email: *[email protected]* .
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
**Comments Invited**
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under *ADDRESSES* . Include “Docket No. FAA-2023-1812; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00726-A” at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to *regulations.gov* , including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
**Confidential Business Information**
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as “PROPIN.” The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Chirayu Gupta, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.
**Background**
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued Transport Canada AD CF-2021-24, dated July 21, 2021 (referred to after this as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition on all Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. Model DA 40, DA 40 D, DA 40 F, DA 40 NG, and DA 62 airplanes.
The MCAI states Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. received reports of defective buckles installed on the baggage nets on DA 40 NG and DA 62 airplanes. An investigation revealed a quality issue during the manufacturing of the Quick Fix Baggage Net Assembly, part number (P/N) D44-2550-90-00 and P/N D67-2550-90-00_02, by the supplier. P/N D44-2550-90-00 baggage nets can also be installed on DA 40, DA 40 D, and DA 40 F airplanes. The baggage nets installed with defective buckles may not maintain sufficient holding force to restrain the baggage or cargo that is carried in the same compartment as passengers. Consequently, they may not provide adequate means to protect the passengers from injury. This condition, if not corrected, could result in the failure of the baggage net to restrain the baggage or cargo, which could lead to injury to the occupants in the case of an emergency landing. The MCAI mandates the removal and replacement of the affected baggage nets. The MCAI also renders any affected baggage nets not eligible for installation as a replacement part on Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. Model DA 40, DA 40 D, DA 40 F, DA 40 NG, and DA 62 airplanes.
Previously, the FAA issued AD 2022-13-06, Amendment 39-22092 (87 FR 40435, July 7, 2022) (AD 2022-13-06) to address the unsafe condition on all Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. Model DA 40, DA 40 F, and DA 40 NG airplanes (including Model DA 40 D airplanes that have been converted to Model DA 40 NG airplanes). AD 2022-13-06 requires removing and replacing the affected baggage nets. The Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. Model DA 62 airplanes were not included in AD 2022-13-06. This proposed AD would require these same actions on the Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. Model DA 62 airplanes.
The FAA is proposing this AD to prevent failure of the baggage net to restrain the baggage or cargo. This unsafe condition, if not corrected, could result in injury to occupants in the case of an emergency landing.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at *regulations.gov* under Docket No. FAA-2023-1812.
**Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51**
The FAA reviewed Diamond Aircraft Industries Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB 62-028, Rev. 1, dated July 6, 2021, which specifies procedures for identifying, removing, and replacing the affected baggage nets.
This service information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in *ADDRESSES* .
**FAA's Determination**
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
**Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM**
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in the MCAI, except as discussed under “Differences Between this Proposed AD and the MCAI.”
**Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI**
The MCAI applies to Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. Model DA 40, DA 40 D, DA 40 F, DA 40 NG, and DA 62 airplanes. This proposed AD would only apply to Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. Model DA 62 airplanes and would not apply to Model DA 40, DA 40 F, and DA 40 NG airplanes because those airplanes are already covered by AD 2022-13-06. This proposed AD would not apply to Model DA 40 D airplanes because that model does not have an FAA type certificate.
**Costs of Compliance**
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 81 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
| Action | Labor cost | Parts cost | Cost per | Cost on U.S. operators |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Replace baggage net | 0.25 work-hour × $85 per hour = $21.25 | $441 | $462.25 | $37,442.25 |
**Authority for This Rulemaking**
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
**Regulatory Findings**
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed regulation:
(1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
**List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39**
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
**The Proposed Amendment**
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
**PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES**
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
**Authority:**
49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
*Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc.:* Docket No. FAA-2023-1812; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00726-A.
**(a) Comments Due Date**
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by October 16, 2023.
**(b) Affected ADs**
AD 2022-13-06, Amendment 39-22092 (87 FR 40435, July 7, 2022) is related to this AD.
**(c) Applicability**
This AD applies to Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. Model DA 62 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
**(d) Subject**
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2550, Cargo Compartments.
**(e) Unsafe Condition**
This AD was prompted by reports of baggage nets installed with defective buckles. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the baggage net to restrain the baggage or cargo. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in injury to occupants in the case of an emergency landing.
**(f) Compliance**
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
**(g) Definition**
The following are “affected baggage nets” for purposes of this AD: Quick fix baggage net assembly part number D67-2550-90-00_02 with a date of manufacture of June 2016.
**(h) Required Actions**
(1) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD or within 50 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect each baggage net to determine whether an affected baggage net is installed on your airplane.
**Note 1 to paragraph (h)(1):**
The date of manufacture is located on the label with the abbreviation “DMF.”
(i) If an affected baggage net is installed, before further flight, remove the baggage net from service.
(ii) Before the next flight carrying baggage or cargo in the baggage compartment, install a baggage net that is not an affected baggage net in accordance with Figure 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions in Diamond Aircraft Industries Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB 62-028, Rev. 1, dated July 6, 2021.
(2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install an affected baggage net on any airplane.
**(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)**
The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified in paragraph (j)(2) of this AD or email to: *[email protected].* If mailing information, also submit information by email. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office.
**(j) Additional Information**
(1) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF-2021-24, dated July 21, 2021, for related information. This Transport Canada AD may be found in the AD docket at *regulations.gov* under Docket No. FAA-2023-1812.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Chirayu Gupta, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228-7300; email: *[email protected].*
**(k) Material Incorporated by Reference**
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Diamond Aircraft Industries Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB 62-028, Rev. 1, dated July 6, 2021.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc., Att: Thit Tun, 1560 Crumlin Road, London, N5V 1S2, Canada; phone: (519) 457-4000; email: *[email protected];* website: *diamondaircraft.com.*
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email: *[email protected],* or go to: *www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.*
Issued on August 28, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.