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2012-16-03: Flight controls

FAA order 2012-16-03 is an airworthiness directive in force since September 12, 2012. The FAA's subject line: Flight controls. It names Hph Ltd GLASFLUGEL 304: about 28 aircraft on the U.S. register today, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: flight controls.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product: Aircraft
Makes: HPH s.r.o.
Models: Glasflugel 304 C, Glasflugel 304 CZ, Glasflugel 304 CZ-17
On this site: Hph Ltd GLASFLUGEL 304 28 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since: September 12, 2012
Published: August 8, 2012 (signed July 30, 2012)
Docket: FAA-2012-0598
Status: Current
The FAA's document: Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all HPH s. r.o. Models 304C, 304CZ, and 304CZ-17 sailplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as the lack of a drain hole in the elevator control rod, which may allow water to accumulate in the control rod and lead to possible corrosion. This condition could cause the elevator control rod to fail, which could result in loss of control of the sailplane. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (3,547 characters)

Adoption of the Amendment 

	Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: 

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 

0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: 

	Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

Sec.  39.13  [Amended] 

0 2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD: 

2012-16-03 HPH s. r.o. Sailplanes: Amendment 39-17150; Docket No. FAA-2012-0598; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-017-AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

	This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective September 12, 2012. 

(b) Affected ADs 

	None. 

(c) Applicability 

	This AD applies to HPH s. r.o. Models 304C, 304CZ, and 304CZ-17 sailplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category. 

(d) Subject 

	Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27, Flight controls. 

(e) Reason 

	This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as the lack of a drain hole in the elevator control rod, which may allow water to accumulate in the control rod and lead to possible corrosion. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the elevator control rod, which could result in loss of control of the sailplane. 

[[Page 47277]] 

(f) Actions and Compliance 

	Unless already done, do the following actions in accordance with HPH spol. s. r.o. Service Bulletin No.: G304CZ--06 a)--R01, G304C-- 06 a)--R01, G304CZ17--06 a)--R01, dated April 23, 2012: 
	(1) Within 30 days after September 12, 2012 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the elevator control rod in the vertical fin. 
	(2) If you find any deficiency during the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, replace the elevator control rod with an elevator control rod that has a drain hole. 
	(3) Within 9 months after September 12, 2012 (the effective date of this AD), unless already done as required by paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, replace the elevator control rod in the vertical fin with an elevator control rod that has a drain hole. 
	(4) As of September 12, 2012 (the effective date of this AD), do not install an elevator control rod without a drainage hole. 

	(g) Material Incorporated by Reference 

	(1) You must use HPH spol. s. r.o. Service Bulletin No.: G304CZ--06 a)--R01, G304C--06 a)--R01, G304CZ17--06 a)--R01, dated April 23, 2012, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
	(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact HPH spol. s. r.o., [Ccaron][aacute]slavsk[aacute] 126, P.O. Box 112, 284 01 Kutn[aacute] Hora, Czech Republic, telephone: +420 327 512633; fax: +420 327 513 441; email: hph@hph.cz; Internet: www.hph.cz. 
	(3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 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 that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/index.html.

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 5, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2012-16-03.json · aircraft systems.