76-11-03: Tow Release Mechanism

76-11-03 SCHEMPP HIRTH and BURKHART GROB: Amendment 39-2626. Applies to Standard Cirrus gliders certificated in all categories, Serial Numbers 1 through 604 for Schempp Hirth and Serial Numbers 1G through 200G for Burkhart Grob. Compliance is required as indicated, unless already accomplished. To prevent possible tow release lever jamming and consequent crashing of the glider during a winch launch, accomplish the following: (a) Within the next 10 flights after the effective date of this AD, visually inspect the clearance between the tow release lever and the occupied pilot seat by performing a functional inspection of the operation of the tow release mechanism. If the occupied seat interferes with the operation of the tow release mechanism, before further flight, comply with paragraph (c) of this AD. (b) Within the next 50 flights after the effective date of this AD, unless earlier compliance is required pursuant to paragraph (a) of this AD, comply with paragraph (c) of this AD. (c) Reinforce the pilot seat in accordance with steps 2 and 3 of the paragraph entitled "Instructions" of Schempp Hirth Technical Note 278-18, dated December 8, 1975, or an FAA-approved equivalent, except that the minimum overall depth of the stiffening material used under step 2b should be 1/3 its width. This amendment becomes effective June 10, 1976.