95-09-12: Wing Spar

95-09-12 ALEXANDER SCHLEICHER: Amendment 39-9216; Docket No. 91-CE-40-AD. Supersedes AD 88-11-05, Amendment 39-5997. Applicability: Models ASW-12, ASW-15, ASW-15B, and ASW-17 gliders (all serial numbers), certificated in any category. NOTE 1: This AD applies to each glider 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 gliders 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 (g) 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 glider from the applicability of this AD. Compliance: Required initially as follows, and thereafter as indicated in the body of this AD: 1. For Models ASW-12 and ASW-17: Within the next 6 calendar months after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished. 2. For Models ASW-15 and ASW-15B: On or before the last day of the 12th calendar month after the last inspection required by AD 88-11-05, Amendment 39-5997. To prevent failure of the wing spar caused by wood rot, which, if not detected and corrected, could result in loss of control of the glider, accomplish the following: (a) Visually inspect the wing spar for wood rot in accordance with either Action Paragraphs 1.1 through 1.3 of Alexander Schleicher ASW-12 Technical Note (TN) No. 4, dated May 10, 1989; Action Paragraphs 1.1, 1.2, and 2.1 of Alexander Schleicher ASW-15 TN No. 23, dated April 21, 1988; or Action Paragraphs 1.1 and 1.2 of Alexander Schleicher ASW-17 TN No. 12, dated May 8, 1989, as applicable. (b) Mark and send wood cores obtained through the inspection specified in paragraph (a) of this AD to a mycology laboratory for microscopical inspection to detect heavy wood destroying fungal infestation in accordance with either Action Paragraph 1.3 of Alexander Schleicher ASW-12 TN No. 4, dated May 10, 1989; Action Paragraph 2.1 of Alexander Schleicher ASW-15 TN No. 23, dated April 21, 1988; or Action Paragraph 1.2 of Alexander Schleicher ASW-17 TN No. 12, dated May 8, 1989, as applicable. (c) If moisture damage, swelling, evidence that water has penetrated into the spar fork, or fungal infestation is found, prior to further flight after the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, accomplish the following: (1) Wait for the results of the microscopical examination and then obtain a repair scheme from the manufacturer through the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, at the address specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, and incorporate this repair scheme. (2) Apply preservative, strengthen the inspection hole area, and close the hole in accordance with either Action Paragraph 1.4 of Alexander Schleicher ASW-12 TN No. 4, dated May 10, 1989; Action Paragraph 2.2 of Alexander Schleicher ASW-15 TN No. 23, dated April 21, 1988; or Action Paragraph 1.3 of Alexander Schleicher ASW-17 TN No. 12, dated May 8, 1989, as applicable. (d) If no moisture damage, swelling, evidence that water has penetrated into the spar fork, or fungal infestation is found, accomplish the following: (1) Prior to further flight after the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, apply preservative, strengthen the inspection hole area, and close the hole in accordance with either Action Paragraph 1.4 of Alexander Schleicher ASW-12 TN No. 4, dated May 10, 1989; Action Paragraph 2.2 of Alexander Schleicher ASW-15 TN No. 23, dated April 21, 1988; or Action Paragraph 1.3 of Alexander Schleicher ASW-17 TN No. 12, dated May 8, 1989, as applicable. (2) Operation of the glider during the microscopical examination of the wood core is permitted. However, if these examination results reveal heavy wood destroying fungal infestation, prior to further flight after receiving the results, obtain a repair scheme from the manufacturer through the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, at the address specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, and incorporate this repair scheme. (e) The inspection requirements specified in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this AD, excluding the wood core microscopical examination requirements, shall be accomplished annually on or before the last day of the 12th calendar month after the last inspection. (f) 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 glider to a locationwhere the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. (g) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the initial or repetitive compliance times 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. (h) The inspections required by this AD shall be done in accordance with either Alexander Schleicher ASW-12 Technical Note No. 4, dated May 10, 1989; Alexander Schleicher ASW-15 Technical Note No. 23, dated April 21, 1988; or Alexander Schleicher ASW-17 Technical Note No. 12, dated May 8, 1989, as applicable. 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 Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Company, D-36163, Popppenhausen-Wasserkuppe, Germany; or Eastern Sailplane, Heath Stage Route Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts 01370. 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. (i) This amendment (39-9216) supersedes AD 88-11-05, Amendment 39-5997. (j) This amendment becomes effective on June 9, 1995.