Diamond DA42 Twin Star NG for Sale

€950,000

Available now: 2001 Citation Bravo — $2,300,000

Aircraft Specifications

Asking Price
€950,000
Model
DA42 NG (Austro AE300)
Airframe
187 hrs
Engines
2 × Austro Engine AE300 (E4C)
Engine time
187 hrs TSN each (S/N E4-C-06186 and E4-C-06195)
Paint
High-gloss multi-layer paint (non-RIM)
Seats
4

Avionics

Description

This Diamond DA42 Twin Star NG is a four-seat, twin-engine composite aircraft with retractable landing gear, offered at €950,000. The airframe shows 187 hours total time. Both engines are Austro Engine AE300 (E4C) jet-fuel engines, serial numbers E4-C-06186 and E4-C-06195, each with 187 hours since new. The propellers are MT MTV-6-R-C-F/CF190-69 units, serial numbers 220066 and 220067.

The panel is a Garmin G1000 NXi with two 10-inch displays, dual GIA 64W COM/NAV/SBAS-GPS, GMA 1360 digital audio, GRS 79 AHRS, GDC 72 air data computer and a GFC 700 autopilot with yaw damper. Listed options include Garmin Synthetic Vision, a TAS 605A traffic advisory system, a Honeywell KN 63 remote DME, an ADS-B In/Out transponder, an MD-302 standby attitude module, Flight Stream 510, a TKS de-icing system and electrically adjustable rudder pedals for both front seats.

Safety features listed include 26g composite safety seats, three-point automatic belts on all seats, lightning protection, Garmin ESP and a stick limiter. The standard interior is Diamond grey with fabric inlays and carbon trim; the exterior has high-gloss multi-layer paint, xenon landing and taxi lights and LED position and strobe lights.

Year of manufacture, registration, location and warranty status are available on request.

Consultant's Notes

The short version

This Diamond DA42 Twin Star NG for sale is a nearly new twin. The airframe shows 187 hours total time, and both Austro Engine AE300 (E4C) engines, serial numbers E4-C-06186 and E4-C-06195, show 187 hours since new. The propellers are MT MTV-6-R-C-F/CF190-69 units, serial numbers 220066 and 220067. The panel is a Garmin G1000 NXi with GFC 700 autopilot and yaw damper, with options including Synthetic Vision, TAS 605A traffic, a KN 63 DME, an ADS-B In/Out transponder, an MD-302 standby module and a TKS de-icing system. The asking price is €950,000. Year of manufacture and registration are not in the published data and are available on request.

What the DA42 NG is

The DA42 is Diamond's four-seat light twin: a composite airframe, retractable gear and two jet-fuel engines. The NG generation uses the Austro Engine AE300, a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel built by Diamond's sister company, rated at 168 hp and controlled by FADEC through a single lever per engine. The later DA42-VI refined the aerodynamics and the cabin on the same basic design, and the exact designation of this aircraft should be confirmed on its type documents.

The DA42 has two established roles. Flight schools use it as a multi-engine and IFR trainer, because it is economical to run for a twin and its FADEC engines remove much of the workload of classic twin piston operation. Private owners use it as a touring twin with a modern panel, jet-fuel operation and, when equipped with de-icing, more weather options than a single.

Why 187 hours matters

Most used DA42s on the market have spent years in training fleets. This one has 187 hours on the airframe and the same on both engines. That points to an aircraft close to factory condition, with almost the whole of the engine and airframe intervals ahead of the next owner.

Low hours are not the whole story, though. They raise three practical questions:

- Warranty. On an aircraft this young, part of the value may be any remaining manufacturer warranty on the airframe, engines or avionics. Ask what remains, until when, and whether it transfers to a new owner. - Calendar items. Even with few hours, some items age by date: batteries, ELT battery, hoses, TKS fluid and filters, fire-extinguishing and safety equipment, and propeller and engine calendar limits. Ask for a list with due dates. - Why it is for sale. A short ownership is common and usually has an ordinary explanation. It is still a fair question, and the answer helps you understand the aircraft.

The engines and propellers

Both AE300 (E4C) engines are listed with their serial numbers and 187 hours since new. With engines at this stage, what you are really buying is time: almost the entire published interval is still ahead. The AE300 is managed on an overhaul interval set by Austro Engine; the current figure and any calendar limit for these specific engines should be confirmed from the engine documentation, together with compliance with Austro Engine service bulletins.

The propellers are MT MTV-6-R-C-F/CF190-69 units. Propeller 2, serial number 220067, is listed at 187 hours. The listing gives no hours for propeller 1, serial number 220066. On a 187-hour airframe it is likely to be the same, but "likely" is not good enough for a purchase file, and the logbook should confirm it.

The panel: G1000 NXi with a full set of options

The avionics are among the most complete you will find in a light twin of this class. The listed core system includes:

- two Garmin 10-inch flight displays; - two Garmin GIA 64W COM/NAV/SBAS-GPS units; - Garmin GMA 1360 digital audio; - Garmin GRS 79 AHRS, GDC 72 air data computer and GMU 44 magnetometer; - Garmin GFC 700 autopilot including yaw damper; - Garmin Flight Stream 510; - a 406 MHz ELT and standby instruments.

Listed options add Garmin Synthetic Vision, a TAS 605A traffic advisory system, a Honeywell KN 63 remote DME and an MD-302 digital standby attitude module. ChartView approach plates and the Jeppesen PilotPak IFR bundle are listed as subscription items; budget for those as running costs.

There is one inconsistency to resolve. The core list mentions a Garmin GTX 335R ADS-B Out transponder, while the options list mentions a GTX 345R ADS-B In/Out transponder. Only one is normally installed. Ask which one is fitted and confirm it on the equipment list. The display designation is also written as "GDU 105x"; the exact model should be confirmed on the equipment list.

TKS de-icing: read the paperwork

A TKS de-icing system is listed. On the DA42, TKS installations can differ in what they are approved for, and that difference matters a great deal for how you can use the aircraft in winter. Ask whether this installation is approved for flight into known icing conditions or only as a protective system, and check the flight manual supplement. Do not assume either way until you have seen it.

Interior, exterior and safety equipment

The interior is Diamond's standard layout in grey, with ergonomic seats, fabric inlays, carbon on the transmission tunnel, adjustable backrests with lumbar support for pilot and co-pilot, sun glare shields, dual headset plugs (LEMO and standard jack), instrument lighting, an overhead cabin light and one USB port each for pilot and co-pilot. Built-in tablet mount provisions are listed in the pilot and co-pilot armrests, and a bubble canopy with sun protection.

The exterior has hydraulic retractable landing gear, heated pitot, electric flaps, high-gloss multi-layer paint, xenon landing and taxi lights and LED position and strobe lights.

The safety list includes 26g composite safety seats, a failsafe airframe and wing design, lightning protection, automatic three-point belts on all seats, Garmin ESP electronic stability and protection, a gear warning horn muting system and a stick limiter.

Who this DA42 suits

It suits a private owner who wants a modern, well-equipped light twin with jet-fuel engines and is prepared to pay for an aircraft close to new. It suits a training organisation that wants a G1000 NXi multi-engine trainer with a long service life ahead. It also suits a buyer who values the redundancy of two engines for longer trips over water or terrain.

It does not suit a buyer looking for an inexpensive entry into twin flying; €950,000 buys an aircraft with almost all of its life ahead, and that is reflected in the price. A pilot without a multi-engine rating should also budget for training and insurance requirements before buying.

What we would check before buying

1. Year of manufacture, serial number, registration and confirmation of the exact designation (DA42 NG or DA42-VI). 2. Warranty status on airframe, engines and avionics, and whether it transfers. 3. Logbooks for airframe, both engines and both propellers, including the hours on propeller 1. 4. Transponder model (GTX 335R or GTX 345R) and the full equipment list. 5. TKS approval and the flight manual supplement. 6. Calendar items and next due inspections. 7. Certificate of airworthiness and ARC (or national equivalent), valid and current. 8. Damage history, even on a low-time aircraft. 9. A pre-purchase inspection at a Diamond service centre.

Frequently asked questions

How many hours does this DA42 have? 187 hours total time on the airframe. Both AE300 engines show 187 hours since new.

What is the asking price? €950,000.

What year is it? The year of manufacture is not in the published data. It is available on request.

What engines does it have? Two Austro Engine AE300 (E4C) jet-fuel engines with FADEC, serial numbers E4-C-06186 and E4-C-06195.

Is it equipped for icing conditions? A TKS de-icing system is listed. Whether it is approved for flight into known icing must be confirmed from the flight manual supplement.

What autopilot is installed? A Garmin GFC 700 with yaw damper, integrated with the G1000 NXi.

Is there any warranty remaining? Warranty status is not in the published data. Ask for it before making an offer.