2004-25-17: Elevator rocker lever (part number A 730 201 N)

2004-25-17 LETECKE ZAVODY: Amendment 39-13905; Docket No. FAA-2004-18034; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-18-AD. When Does This AD Become Effective? (a) This AD becomes effective on January 28, 2005. What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action? (b) None. What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD? (c) This AD affects Model L 23 SUPER--BLANIK sailplanes, all serial numbers up to and including 039019, that are certificated in any category. 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 the Czech Republic. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue failure of the elevator rocker lever. This failure could lead to loss of control of the sailplane. What Must I Do To Address This Problem? (e) To address this problem, you must do the following: Actions Compliance Procedures(1) Do a non-destructive magnetic test (NDMT) inspection on the elevator rocker lever (part number A 730 201 A) for cracks and deficiencies. Initially inspect within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after January 28, 2005 (the effective date) of this AD. If no cracks or deficiencies are found, reinstall and repetitively inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS until the replacement in paragraph (e)(2) of this AD is done. The replacement in paragraph (e)(2) of this AD is the terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements in this AD. Follow the work procedures in LETECKE ZAVODY Mandatory Bulletin MB No.: L23/48a, not dated. (2) If cracks are found during any inspection required in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, send the cracked part and a report of the inspection that contains the information about the position and size of cracks, the serial number of the sailplane, and the total number of hours TIS since new to LETECHKE ZAVODY at the address specified in paragraph (h) of this AD. (i) The manufacturer will send you a replacement part for installation. (ii) The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the information collection requirements contained in this regulation under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056 Return the cracked elevator rocker lever to the manufacturer and install the replacement part prior to further flight after the inspection in which cracks are found. Prior to installing the new part, place a permanent (paint) blue dot approximately 0.25 inches in diameter in an open location on the elevator rocker lever. Installing the replacement part received from the manufacturer is the terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD. Follow the work procedures in LETECHKE ZAVODY Mandatory Bulletin MB No.: L23/48a, not dated. (3) You may terminate the repetitive inspections required in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD by: (i) Replacing the elevator rocker lever with one obtained from the manufacturer at the address specified in paragraph (h) of this AD; and (ii) Prior to installing the new part, place a permanent (paint) blue dot approximately 0.25 inches in diameter in an open location on the elevator rocker lever At any time after the initial inspection required in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD. Not applicable. (4) If you have already replaced the defective elevator rocker lever with a manufacturer-approved lever that was produced in January 2004 or later following LETECHKE ZAVODY Mandatory Bulletin MB No.: L23/48a, not dated, you may take credit for compliance with this AD by having an appropriately-rated mechanic do the following: (i) Make a log book entry showing compliance with this AD; and (ii) Place a permanent (paint) blue dot approximately 0.25 inches in diameter in an open location on the newly installed elevator rocker lever. As of January 28, 2005 (the effective date of this AD). Not applicable. 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 Gregory A. Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090. Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject? (g) Czech Republic AD Number CAA-AD-T-005/2004, dated January 16, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD. Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference? (h) You must do the actions required by this AD following the instructions in LETECKE ZAVODY Mandatory Bulletin MB No.: L23/48a (referenced in Czech Republic AD Number CAA-AD-T-005/ 2004, dated January 16, 2004). 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. To get a copy of this service information, contact LETECK[Eacute] Z[Aacute]VODY a.s., 686 04 Kunovice 1177, Czech Republic. To review copies of this service information, go to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, go to: http://www.archives. gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ ibr_locations.htmlor call (202) 741-6030. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-0001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2004-18034.