Diamnond DA42 reliability

[eloigorri]

Hello Forum. I have placed my order for a DA42 and been promised delivery by August this year, so with normal delays and paperwork hiccups, I should be legal to fly by October at the latest. I have also decided to accompany the ferry pilot from Vienna to Thailand as this will be a great way to get familiar with the aircraft.


The bad news is that since placing the order, I am hearing some pretty dire reports about the general reliability of this aircraft. What I have heard so far is:-

To much reliance on the battery to run the engines. (I know this has been partiality addressed since the infamous landing gear crash.)
Gearbox failures.
Overheating.
Poor cooperation between the engine manufacturer and Diamond.
Poor availability of spares.
Swap out of gearboxes at 300 hrs
Swap out of Engines at 1,000 hrs


I got most of the above from two different UK companies who between them own 5 DA42’s, and who told me that they could not recommend it at all. They have owned the aircraft for two years, so clearly these are older versions with the 1.7L engine, not the newer 2.0. I am willing to believe that any new design will have teething problems which over time get resolved, but I would really like to hear from current owners about what their experiences have been so far.

On paper this aircraft looks great for what I want, but I am worried I may end up with an unreliable expensive aircraft.


I would really appreciate hearing from any owners, especially those with high end hours.

Thanks in advance -Eduardo

[sternone]

As you said above these are mostly (MOSTLY) related to the 1.7 type, there is a very good article on aviation consumer about this in the december issue. At this moment Diamond is aware of 22 in flight engine stoppages .. 22 ?? Holy crap!!! I flew the DA-42 myself some time ago, i found it for long trips annoying that you don't have an arm wrest, so you kinda need to put your hand in your lap the whole time like a little kid.

I also don't like the lousy performance of the plane, it's slow, when they marketed it, they promised 200kts... now it's more like to be 150kts.. small difference!!