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2004-08-12 Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau Gmbh: Amendment 39-13581; Docket No. 2003-CE-59-AD.
When Does This AD Become Effective?
(a) This AD becomes effective on June 4, 2004.
What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?
(b) None.
What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?
(c) This AD affects the following model and serial number sailplanes that are certificated in any category:
Group
Models
Serial Nos.
(1) Group 1 Sailplanes
Discus-2a and Discus-2b sailplanes that do not have Shempp-Hirth Technical Note No. 360-16 incorporated.
13 through 22, 24, 27, 30 through 48, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 57 through 63, 65, 67, 68, 71 through 79, 81, and 82.
(2) Group 2 Sailplanes
Ventus-2a, Ventus-2b, Discus-2a, and Discus 2b sailplanes.
Ventus-2a and Ventus-2b: 1, 2, 31, 32, 48, 54, 71, 117, 124 through 151, and 153; and all serial numbers that incorporate Modification Bulletin 349-42 or are equipped with a new tail unit per Shempp-HirthTechnical Note No. 349-27. Discus-2a and Discus-2b:
1 through 185, 187, 188, and 189.
What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?
(d) This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. The actions of this AD are intended to detect and correct problems within the sailplane elevator control system before they lead to flutter and sailplane instability. This could eventually result in loss of sailplane control.
What Must I Do To Address This Problem?
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following:
Actions
Compliance
Procedures
(1) For Group 1 sailplanes: Add a mass balance to the elevators and install an elevator pushrod in the vertical fin.
Within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after June 4, 2004 (the effective date of this AD), unless already done.
Follow Schempp-Hirth Technical Note No. 360-19, dated December 20, 2002 (LBA-approved January 18, 2003).
(2) For Group 2 sailplanes: Modify the mass balance weights.
Within the next 25 hours TIS after June 4, 2004 (the effective date of this AD), unless already done.
Follow Schempp-Hirth Technical Note No. 349-28, No. 360-20, and No. 863-8 (including appendix), dated September 16, 2003 (LBA-approved September 23, 2003).
May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?
(f) You may request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments and will send your request to the Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA. For information on any already approved alternative methods of compliance, contact Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?
(g) You must do the actions required by this AD following the instructions in Schempp-Hirth Technical Note No. 360-19, dated December 20, 2002 (LBA-approved January 18, 2003); and Schempp-Hirth Technical Note No. 349-28, No. 360-20, and No. 863-8 (including appendix), dated September 16, 2003 (LBA-approved September 23, 2003). The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may get a copy from Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH, Postfach 14 43, D-73230 Kirchheim/ Teck, Germany; telephone: 011 49 7021 7298-0; facsimile: 011 49 7021 7298-199. You may review copies at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?
(h) German AD No. 2003-048, effective date: March 6, 2003, and German AD No. 2003-280, effective date: October 2, 2003, also address the subject of this AD.
