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2004-11-12: Integrated (Wet Inner Surface) Water Ballast Tanks in the Wings

FAA order 2004-11-12 is an airworthiness directive in force since July 27, 2004. The FAA's subject line: Integrated (Wet Inner Surface) Water Ballast Tanks in the Wings. It names Alexander Schleicher ASW 27: about 44 aircraft on the U.S. register today, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: airframe structure.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product: Aircraft
Makes: Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co.
Models: ASW 27
On this site: Alexander Schleicher ASW 27 44 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since: July 27, 2004
Published: June 8, 2004 (signed May 27, 2004)
Docket: 2003-CE-53-AD
Status: Current
The FAA's document: Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Alexander Schleicher Model ASW 27 sailplanes equipped with integrated (wet inner surface) water ballast tanks in the wings, which could put the center of gravity (CG) of the sailplane out of the acceptable range. This AD requires you to install a warning placard requiring pilots weighing more than 105 kg (231.5 lbs) to use the rearmost backrest hinge position; and requires you to determine the forward empty CG and make any necessary adjustments. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are issuing this AD to correct the CG to the acceptable range when integrated ballast water tanks are installed. Failure of the sailplane to be within the acceptable CG range could result in loss of sailplane control.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (4,363 characters)

2004-11-12 Alexander Schleicher Gmbh & Co.: Amendment 39-13658; Docket No. 2003-CE-53-AD. 

When Does This AD Become Effective? 

	(a) This AD becomes effective on July 27, 2004. 

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action? 

	(b) None. 

What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD? 

	(c) This AD affects the following Alexander Schleicher Model ASW 27 sailplanes that are certificated in any category: 


Serial numbers
Condition
(1) 27105, 27109, 27110, 27113, 27115, 27116, and 27119 through 27177.
Equipped with integrated (wet inner surface) water ballast tanks on the wing at manufacture.
(2) 27001 and up
Equipped with integrated (wet inner surface) water ballast tanks through wing replacement per Technical Note No. 2.

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD? 

	(d) This AD is the result of water ballast in the integral wing water ballast tanks that may cause a stronger nose heavy moment than the soft water ballast bags, putting the center-of-gravity(CG) out of acceptable range. To compensate for this, pilots over a certain weight must only use the rearmost backrest position. The actions specified in this AD are intended to correct the forward empty weight CG and prevent 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) Fabricate (using letters at least 1/8-inch in height) a warning placard with the following language and install this placard in the cockpit in full view of the pilot: "When water ballast is used, pilots weighing 105 kg (231.5 lbs) or more including parachute must use the rearmost back rest hinge position!".
Warning placard must be installed within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after July 27, 2004 (the effective date of this AD).
Install placard following Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 9, dated February 27, 2002.
(2) Determine the forward empty weight CG 

(i) If the CG is out of acceptable range, prior to further flight, contact the manufacturer at Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co., Seglflugzeugbau, D-36163 Poppenhausen, Germany for corrective action and perform the corrective action. 

(ii) If CG is within acceptable range, no further action is necessary.
Within the next 50 hours TIS after July 27, 2004 (the effective date of this AD).
Check forward empty weight of CG following Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 9, dated February 27, 2002.

	Note: Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 9, dated February 27, 2002, changes some pages to the maintenance manual. We recommend that you review those changes. 

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 tothe Manager, Standards Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on any already approved alternative methods of compliance, contact Gregory Davison, Aerospace Engineer, Small Airplane Directorate, ACE-112, 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 Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 9, dated February 27, 2002. 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 Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co., Seglflugzeugbau, D-36163 Poppenhausen, Germany. You may review copies at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. 

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject? 

	(h) LBA AD 2002-086, dated March 7, 2002, and Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 9, dated February 27, 2002 also address the subject of this AD.

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of October 7, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2004-11-12.json · aircraft systems.