95-09-11: Airbrake Actuating Lever

95-09-11 SCHEMPP-HIRTH: Amendment 39-9215; Docket No. 94-CE-17-AD. Applicability: Cirrus and Cirrus VTC Sailplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category. NOTE 1: This AD applies to each sailplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For sailplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority provided in paragraph (c) of this AD to request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair remove any sailplane from the applicability of this AD. Compliance: Required upon the accumulation of 500 hours time-in-service (TIS) or within the next 20 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, unless already accomplished. To prevent airbrake system failure caused by broken coupling balls on the airbrake actuating lever, which, if not detected and corrected, could result in sailplane controllability problems, accomplish the following: (a) Modify the airbrake actuating lever and replace the airbrake system coupling balls (located on the actuating lever) in accordance with the instructions in Schempp-Hirth Technical Note No. 265-10, dated November 5, 1992. (b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the sailplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate. NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate. (d) The modification required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Schempp-Hirth Technical Note No. 265-10, dated November 5, 1992. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Schempp-Hirth Flugzeubau GmbH, Krebenstr. 25, D-7312 Kirchheim/Teck, Germany. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. (e) This amendment becomes effective on June 9, 1995.