97-08-06 R1: Quick Connectors

97-08-06 R1 LOUIS L' HOTELLIER, S.A.: Amendment 39-10080; Docket No. 92-CE-41-AD. Revises AD 97-08-06, Amendment 39-9994. \n\n\tApplicability: All ball and swivel joint quick connectors installed in, but not limited to, the following gliders and sailplanes that are not equipped with a "Uerling" sleeve or an LS-Safety sleeve: \n\n\nManufacturer \nModels \nAlexander Schleicher\nASK21, ASK23, ASW 12, ASW15, ASW15B, ASW17, ASW19, ASW19B, AS12, AS-K13. \nCentrair, S.N\n101, 101A, 101P, 101AP, and 201B. \nEiriavion\nPIK 20, PIK 20B, and PIK 20D. \nGlaser Dirks\nDG100, DG400, and DG-500M. \nBurkhart Grob\nG102 Astir CS, G102, G103 Twin Astir, G103 Twin II, G103A Twin II Acro, G103C Twin III SL, G109, and G109B. \nIntreprinderea ICA (Lark)\nIS-28B2 and IS-29D2. \nRolladen Schneider\nLS1-f and LS3-a. \nSchempp-Hirth\nCirrus, Std. Cirrus, Nimbus 2, Nimbus 2B, Janus, Discus a, Ventus a/16.6. \n\n\tNote 1: This AD applies to the L'Hotellier ball and swivel joint quick connectors. This AD onlyapplies to U.S.type-certificated gliders and sailplanes that have the affected connectors installed. If the L'Hotellier connectors are not installed on a glider or sailplane, no action is required by the owner/operator. This AD does not apply to gliders and sailplanes that do not have a U.S. type certificate (i.e., experimental category); however, the FAA strongly recommends compliance with the intent of this AD for airplanes involved in U.S. operation where a U.S. type certificate is not necessary. \n\n\tNote 2: This AD applies to sailplanes and gliders equipped with the quick connectors identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether sailplane or glider has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For sailplanes and gliders that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it. \n\n\tCompliance: Required within the next 30 calendar days after the effective date of this AD or upon installation of the affected quick connectors, whichever occurs later, unless already accomplished (compliance with AD 97-08-06). \n\n\tTo prevent the quick connectors from becoming inadvertently disconnected, which could result in loss of control of the sailplane or glider, accomplish the following: \n\n\tNote 3: The paragraph structure of this AD is as follows: \n\t\tLevel 1: (a), (b), (c), etc. \n\t\tLevel 2: (1), (2), (3), etc. \n\t\tLevel 3: (i), (ii), (iii), etc. \n\t\tLevel 4: (A), (B), (C), etc. Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 structures are designations of the Level 1 paragraph they immediately follow. \n\n\t(a)\tFor all sailplanes and gliders equipped with the affected quick connectors, accomplish the following: \n\n\t\t(1)\tFor ball and swivel joint connectors with lock plates, accomplish the following: \n\n\t\t\t(i)\tIf the quick connectors have a safety pin guide hole, utilize the existing hole and install an aviation locking device (safety wire or safety pin). If the hole cannot accommodate the locking device, enlarge the hole to a diameter not to exceed 1.2 mm (0.05 inch), and install the locking device. \n\n\t\t\t\t(A)\tIf the locking device already fits the guide hole, then enlarging the hole is not necessary. \n\n\t\t\t\t(B)\tThe type of aviation locking device used is at the discretion of the certificated mechanic based on the installation accessibility of the locking devices and fittings. \n\n\t\t\t(ii)\tIf the quick connectors do not have a safety pin guide hole, drill a guide hole not to exceed 1.2 mm (0.05 inch) to accommodate the aviation locking device and install the locking device (Reference Figure 1). The type of aviation locking device used is at the discretion of the certificated mechanic based on the installation accessibility of the locking devices and fittings. \n\n\t\t(2)\tFor ball and swivel joint quick connectors with locking cams, accomplish the following: \n\n\t\t\t(i)\tIf the locking cam does not have a safety pin guide hole, drill the hole not to exceed 1.3 mm (0.055 inch) to accommodate the aviation locking device and install the locking device. \n\n\t\t\t\t(A)\tWhen drilling the hole, assure that the ball is correctly inserted so that one edge of the hole is level with the main body of the joint and at least 1.5 mm (0.0625 inch) of material is left on the other side. \n\n\t\t\t\t(B)\tWhen the ball is seated correctly, the hole is located aft of the centerline of the cam pivot point. (See the dashed line in Figure 2 of this AD). \n\n\t\t\t\t(C)\tThe type of aviation locking device used is at the discretion of the certificated mechanic based on the installation accessibility of the locking devices and fittings. \n\n\t\t\t(ii)\tIf the locking cam has a safety pin guide hole, either utilize the existing hole and install an aviation locking device or enlarge the hole to a diameter not to exceed 1.3 mm (0.055 inch) to accommodate the appropriate aviation locking device and install the locking device. \n\n\t\t\t\t(A)\tWhen enlarging the hole, assure that the ball is correctly inserted so that one edge of the hole is level with the main body of the joint and at least 1.5 mm (0.0625 inch) of material is left on the other side. It is recommended to have the ball and swivel joint connected when the hole is drilled. \n\n\t\t\t\t(B)\tWhen the ball is seated correctly, the hole is located aft of the centerline of the cam pivot point. (See the dashed line in Figure 2 of this AD). \n\n\t\t\t\t(C)\tThe type of aviation locking device used is at the discretion of the certificated mechanic based on the installation accessibility of the locking devices and fittings. \n\n\tNote 4: The applicable aircraft manufacturer has identified suitable locking devices based on the aircraft's specific type design features. The operator may contact the U.S. aircraft company representative or manufacturer for any technical information related to this matter. \n\n\tNote 5: It is recommended, but not required by this AD, that the owner/operator inspect these connectors per L'Hotellier's "Instructions for the Maintenance L'Hotellier Ball and Swivel Joints." This technical data may be obtained from your U.S. sailplane dealer or from: L'Hotellier S.A., 93 Avenue Charles De Gaulle, 92270 Bois Colombes, France. \n\n\t(b)\tFabricate and install a placard (using 1/8 inch letters) in the glider or sailplane, within the pilot's clear view, with the following words: \n\n\t"All L'Hotellier control system connectors must be secured with safety wire, pins, or safety sleeves, as applicable, prior to operation." \n\n\t(c)\tFabricating and installing the placard as required by paragraph (b) of this AD may be performed by the owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7), and must be entered into the sailplane's or glider's records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. \n\n\t(d)\tSpecial 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 airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. \n\n\t(e)\tAn 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 tothe Manager, Small Airplane Directorate. Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance with AD 97-08-06 are considered approved as alternative methods of compliance for this AD. \n\n\tNote 6: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate. \n\n\t(f)\tCopies of this AD may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri. \n\n\t(g)\tThis amendment becomes effective on August 1, 1997.