2022-09-17: Flight Control System

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2022-09-17 Scheibe-Aircraft-GmbH: Amendment 39-22037; Docket No. FAA-2022-0506; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00507-G. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 23, 2022. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Scheibe-Aircraft-GmbH Model SF 25 C gliders, certificated in any category, that have Scheibe Modification 653E.41-S10 or 653C-41-S10.1 installed. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2700, Flight Control System. (e) Unsafe Condition 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 identifies the unsafe condition as severe corrosion on the inner surface of the control stick tube. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect corrosion on the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) control sticks, which, if not corrected, could lead to failure of the control stick tube and loss of control of the glider. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Inspection and Replacement (1) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months or 100 hours time-in-service, whichever occurs first, inspect all control sticks (other than part number (P/N) 20093, P/N 20093/G, P/N 20094, and P/N 20094/G) for corrosion by following Action 1, step 1.4, in Scheibe Aircraft GmbH Service Bulletin 653-96/1, dated April 4, 2022 (SB 653-96/1), except you may use a borescope instead of an endoscope. If there is any corrosion, before further flight, replace the affected control stick with a LH control stick P/N 20093 or P/N 20093/G; or a RH control stick P/N 20094 or P/N 20094/G by following Action 3 (all steps) in SB 653-96/1. (2) Replacing a control stick with LH control stick P/N 20093 or P/N 20093/G; or RH control stick P/N 20094 or P/N 20094/G, terminates the repetitive inspection for that control stick side only. Replacing both control sticks with LH control stick P/N 20093 or P/N 20093/G and RH control stick P/N 20094 or P/N 20094/G terminates the repetitive inspection for both sides. (3) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install on any glider a control stick that has a P/N other than LH control stick P/N 20093 or P/N 20093/G; or RH control stick P/N 20094 or P/N 20094/G. (h) Credit for Previous Actions You may take credit for the action required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD if you performed those actions before the effective date of this AD using Scheibe Aircraft GmbH Service Bulletin 653-96, dated March 2, 2022. (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD and email to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. (j) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Jim Rutherford, Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-4165; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov. (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD 2022-0066-E, dated April 11, 2022, for more information. You may examine the EASA AD in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2022-0506. (3) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (k)(3) and (4) of this AD. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. (i) Scheibe Aircraft GmbH Service Bulletin 653-96/1, dated April 4, 2022. Note 1 to paragraph (k)(2)(i): Page 4 of this service information is identified as 653-95. Note 2 to paragraph (k)(2)(i): This service information contains German to English translation. EASA used the English translation in referencing the document from Scheibe Aircraft GmbH. For enforceability purposes, the FAA will cite the service information in English as it appears on the document. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Scheibe Aircraft GmbH, Am Flugplatz 5, Heubach, D-73540, Germany; phone: +49 07173 184286; email: info@scheibe-aircraft.de; website: https://scheibe-aircraft.de/. (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email: fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on April 22, 2022. Gaetano A. Sciortino, Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-09890 Filed 5-4-22; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P