Interesting! I have been a vocal proponent of the diesel movement for
years, but I'm also troubled by the real lack of technical discussion and
analysis of the Thielert and SMA products available here (USA). This past
Tues and Wed at Sun N Fun, I made several trips back and forth between the
Miami based Thielert retrofitters (near the SAAB tent) and the Superior
tent, hoping to chat with the Thielert technical expert. Each time I was
told that he (the only expert there) was at the other tent. I was hoping to
get the details of what problems they were experiencing with the 1.7 block;
to make them retool to the 2.0 block with no performance increase. Left to
my own imagination, I would not want to be flying behind the 1.7 at this
point forward.

Also, the Thielert boys seem to have committed to very modern electronic
control systems to manage their engine (lots of MB three pointed star
emblems on the electrical connectors). I asked last year at the AOPA Tampa
show if the engine had a Limp Home Mode for a major electrical system
failure. I got a quizical look and a promise of a call to my cell number
once "the only expert at that show" returned to the booth,... still waiting.

Too bad,... looks to me like they have a good product, but if they keep
hiding from the flying public they'll lose the trust factor fast.

Lastly, to speak to this DA-42 problem directly, I recall reading in the
early (post certification) period of the 1.7 in the euro version DA-40, they
experienced two documented in-flight electric control module failures which
resulted in engine shutdowns with unsuccesful restart. Just speculating
he Looks like if the battery was dead and the LG motor surge was too much
for the alternators..., well, lets not speculate....


"Karl-Heinz Kuenzel" wrote ...
Here in Germany we had an accident with a brand new DA 42 in Speyer
(EDRY) on 3-4-07 during take off.

It seems, that the battery was down and both engine were started
with remote power.
After take off when retracting the gear, the props feathered and both
engines stopped.