2008-03-06: Plastic T-connector

2008-03-06 Stemme GmbH & Co. KG: Amendment 39-15355; Docket No. FAA- 2008-0105; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-001-AD. Effective Date (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February 20, 2008. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to Model S10-VT powered sailplanes, serial numbers 11-001 through 11-112, except 11-036, 11-067, 11-068, and 11-090, certificated in any category. Subject (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 28: Fuel. Reason (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states: A leakage in the area of a plastic T-connector was found during a daily pre-flight check. The investigation has shown a crack in the centre part of this connector. This AD requires you to inspect all plastic connectors in the area of the fuel pumps and the connection point of the pressure lines to the fuel shut-off valve for possible leakage and replace the plastic connectors in thefuel system with metal connectors if leaks are found. Actions and Compliance (f) Unless already done, do the following actions. (1) Before the first flight of each day after February 20, 2008 (the effective date of this AD) until the replacement required in paragraph (f)(3) of this AD is done, inspect all plastic connectors in the area of the fuel pumps and the connection point of the pressure lines to the fuel shut-off valve (behind the rear bulkhead of the front fuselage) for possible leakage. Do the inspection following STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-082, Am.-Index: 01.a, dated November 30, 2007. (2) Before further flight after the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, replace the plastic T- and Y-connectors in the fuel system with metal connectors if leaks are found. Do the replacements following STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-082, Am.-Index: 01.a, dated November 30, 2007. This replacement terminates the repetitive inspections required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. (3) Within the next 30 days after February 20, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), replace all plastic T- and Y-connectors in the fuel system with metal connectors. Do the replacements following STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-082, Am.-Index: 01.a, dated November 30, 2007. This replacement terminates the repetitive inspections required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. FAA AD Differences Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Gregory Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. Related Information (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Emergency AD 2007-0315-E, datedDecember 21, 2007, and STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-082, Am.-Index: 01.a, dated November 30, 2007, for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-082, Am.- Index: 01.a, dated November 30, 2007, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact STEMME GmbH & Co. KG, Flugplatzstra[szlig]e F 2, Nr. 7, 15344 Strausberg, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: 49.33.41.3612.0; facsimile: 49.33.41.3612.30. (3) You may review copies at the 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.