The frustration continues for aircraft owners with aircraft equipped with ‘Thielert ‘powerplants.  Since the insolvency of the engine manufacturer spare parts are drying up and there is no one to do the warranty work – free of charge.  Diamond Aircraft has made an attempt to purchase spares but were not able to come to an agreement with the insolvency administrator.

Although, the company is attempting to restructure and spare parts can be purchased from ‘Thielert’,  it is on a cash only basis.  The insolvency administrator sums up the situation in a press release issued from Berlin.

“As far as the company’s creditors are concerned, I immediately began intensive discussions following my appointment as the provisional administrator. In the course of insolvency proceedings it is completely normal that relations with banks and suppliers have been disturbed. In this situation it is of central importance to establish new confidence and to win over the relevant creditors for the purpose of rescuing the company. My team and I have largely succeeded in convincing banks and suppliers that it is in their interest that the company continues to operate. The respective banks have indicated their fundamental willingness to make funds available to this end. The suppliers have also been extremely cooperative.

In terms of the customers we are in a difficult situation – particularly with regard to the end customers. German insolvency law does not permit the assumption of warranties or guarantees free of charge for products and services supplied prior to the declaration of insolvency. At present we would not even be in a position to do in economical terms. For this reason we hope that the airplane manufacturers will step into the breach here. In the European legal realm this represents a valid obligation in any case. Of course the full warranty applies for any spare parts and engines supplied after the insolvency petition within the scope of the company's General Standard Terms and Conditions (but not the Terms of Guarantee of the Limited Pro Rata Manufacturer's Guarantee).

As we already announced yesterday, Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH has resumed the delivery of spare parts and engines to its customers. However, in accordance with German insolvency law we are forced to demand payment in advance. The same provision applies also to maintenance work. At the present these measures are indispensable for maintaining the company’s business operations.”