2023-03-10: Elevator Control System

FAA order 2023-03-10 is an airworthiness directive in force since February 24, 2023. The FAA's subject line: Elevator Control System. It names Schempp-Hirth DUO DISCUS, Schempp-Hirth DUO DISCUS T: about 37 aircraft on the U.S. register today across them, 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: Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH
Models: Duo-Discus, Duo Discus T
On this site: Schempp-Hirth DUO DISCUS 29 registered
Schempp-Hirth DUO DISCUS T 8 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since: February 24, 2023
Published: February 9, 2023 (signed February 3, 2023)
Docket: FAA-2023-0162
Status: Current
The FAA's document: Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Model Duo Discus and Duo Discus T gliders. 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 cracks in the connecting tube of the elevator U-bracket of the horizontal tail, which could compromise the stiffness of the elevator control system and of the attachment of the horizontal tail. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the elevator U-bracket for cracks and broken weld seams, the rear connection between the horizontal tail and the rear attachment on the fuselage for play and softness, and the foam support for compression between the vertical and horizontal tail, and replacing or repairing damaged parts as applicable. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (389 characters)

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: Issued on February 3, 2023. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-02773 Filed 2-8-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders

2007-11-26CE-08-07 · Doors

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 8, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2023-03-10.json · aircraft systems.