2011-02-08: Stabilizers.

2011-02-08 Aircraft Industries a.s.: Amendment 39-16581; Docket No. FAA-2011-0053; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-073-AD. Effective Date (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February 14, 2011. Affected ADs (b) None Applicability (c) This AD applies to Aircraft Industries a.s. Model L 23 Super Blanik sailplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category. [[Page 4228]] Subject (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 55: Stabilizers. Reason (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states: Cracks were reported on the rear horizontal stabilizer bracket of two L 23 SUPER-BLANIK sailplanes. This condition, if not corrected, could result in no longer retaining the horizontal stabilizer in place and consequent loss of control of the aeroplane. For the reasons described above, this AD requires immediate inspection of the bracket located at the top of the fin (drawing No.A 730 420 N) and its replacement depending on findings. As a result of the on-going investigation further mandatory terminating action and/or repetitive inspection is likely to follow. Actions and Compliance (f) Unless already done, do the following actions: (1) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD, inspect the rear horizontal stabilizer bracket critical areas (hinge welding areas) for cracks following LET Aircraft Industries Mandatory Bulletin No.: L23/053a, dated December 14, 2010. (2) If during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD a crack is found, before further flight, replace the bracket following LET Aircraft Industries Information Bulletin No.: L23/ 054b, dated December 20, 2010. (3) Within 10 days after the replacement required in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, do the following actions: (i) Send the damaged bracket to the address listed in paragraph (i)(2) of this AD. (ii) Send a report to the address listed in paragraph (i)(2) of this AD containing the following information: Registration mark, serial number, total hours time-in-service, and number of take-offs (if available) since the sailplane has been in operation. 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: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; 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, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200. Related Information (h) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 2010-0274-E, dated December 22, 2010; LET Aircraft Industries Mandatory Bulletin No.: L23/053a, dated December 14, 2010; and LET Aircraft Industries Information Bulletin No.: L23/054b, dated December 20, 2010; for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use LET Aircraft Industries Mandatory Bulletin No.: L23/053a, dated December 14, 2010; and LET Aircraft Industries Information Bulletin No.: L23/054b, dated December 20, 2010, 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 Aircraft Industries, a.s.-Na zahonech 1177, 686 04 Kunovice, Czech Republic; telephone: +420 572 817 660; fax: +420 572 816 112; e- mail: ots@let.cz; Internet: http://www.let.cz/. (3) You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 816-329-4148. (4) You may also review copies of the service information incorporated by reference for this AD 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.