States Customers Need Not Worry at This Point
Hoping to calm customer worries in the wake of the April 24
insolvency filing by Thielert Aircraft Engines AG, Diamond Aircraft
issued a statement May 2 to all customers and service centers for
the DA42 TwinStar and the DA40tdi, to reassure customers of the
company's continuing efforts to provide support for current and
future aircraft.
Thielert Aircraft Engines AG ousted company founder and former
CEO Frank Thielert and CFO Roswitha Grosser on April 24, and filed
for insolvency due to discrepancies in the company's annual
financial statements for 2003 through 2005. The situation caused
Cessna to suspend introduction of the 172TD earlier this week, as ANN reported.
Diamond said its senior management plans to meet with Thielert
AG leadership and insolvency administrators in Europe next week, to
clarify the situation in regards to continued service support and
engine deliveries
In the interim, Diamond is compiling a central inventory of new
and used spare parts and developing plans for medium and long term
parts needs in support of powerplants on delivered aircraft. TAE
technical support is operational and available, but delays in
service and response to inquiries are anticipated.
Pending arrangement with the newly-appointed TAE Insolvency
Administrator, Dr. Bruno M. Kuebler, Diamond intends continued
production of the DA42 (and DA40tdi in Europe) with TAE engines.
Over 30 DA42's currently in production are awaiting engines, and
Diamond reports deliveries will be delayed.
The sole powerplant choice on the DA42, TAE's Centurion 2.0
liter offers low fuel burn and longer range, over comparable
avgas-fueled engines. The Centurion features the simplified Full
Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) technology, reducing pilot
workload in power management through the various phases of
flight.
"The TAE situation has our highest attention and that we are
doing our very best to minimize impact on our valued customers and
business partners," Diamond said. "We sincerely appreciate
everyone's cooperation and patience."
Kuebler was appointed as insolvency administrator for TAE on
April 25. According to statements on his website, Dr. Kuebler has
administered over 1000 insolvencies since 1978. This list includes
technical production organizations such as Aquila, a German
ultralight aircraft manufacturer, that emerged from insolvency
after three years.