AD 2022-09-17 Requires Inspecting The Left-Hand (LH) And Right-Hand (RH) Control Sticks

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Scheibe-Aircraft GmbH Model SF25C gliders.

This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as severe corrosion on the inner surface of the control stick tube. This AD requires inspecting the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) control sticks for corrosion and, if corrosion is found, replacing the affected control stick. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.  DATES: This AD is effective May 23, 2022. 

Supplementary Information: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA Emergency AD 2022-0066-E, dated April 11, 2022 (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to address an unsafe condition on Scheibe-AircraftGmbH (formerly Sportavia-Pützer GmbH & Co. KG and Scheibe Flugzeugbau GmbH) Model SF 25series sailplanes (gliders).

The MCAI states: 

• An occurrence was reported of finding fracture in a RH control stick of a powered sailplane, located above the weld seam at the transfer joint.
• Subsequent investigation determined that the fracture was a result of severe corrosion phenomena affecting the inner surface of the control stick tube due to water ingress.
• This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to a rupture of an affected part, possibly resulting in reduced control, or loss of control, of the powered sailplane. 
• To address this unsafe condition, Scheibe issued the original issue of [service bulletin] TM/SB 653-96 to provide inspection and replacement instructions. 
• Consequently, EASA issued Emergency AD 2022-0043-E (later revised) to require repetitive inspections of each affected part to detect corrosion and replacement of each affected part with a serviceable part. 
• Since EASA AD 2022-0043R1 was issued, it was identified that powered sailplanes on which Scheibe mod[ification] 653C-41-S10.1 is embodied are also affected by this unsafe condition. 
• For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the requirements of EASA AD 2022-0043R1, which is superseded, and expands the Applicability. 

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0506.

FMI: www.regulations.gov