AD 2020-16-05 Requires A One-Time Inspection Of The Rudder Control Cable Attachment Screws And Hinge Bolts

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Blanik Aircraft CZ s.r.o. Model L 23 Super-Blanik gliders.

This AD requires a one-time inspection of the rudder control cable attachment screws and hinge bolts, replacement of the cable attachment screws and hinge bolts if a crack is found, and reporting the inspection results to the manufacturer. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked rudder cable attachment screws. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective August 28, 2020.

Supplementary Information: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA AD No. 2020-0068-E, dated March 23, 2020 (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to address an unsafe condition for Blanik Aircraft CZ s.r.o. Model L 23 Super-Blanik gliders.

The MCAI states:

• During a standard maintenance procedure on an L 23 Super-Blaník sailplane, a crack was detected on a rudder control cable attachment screw.
• This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to rudder control failure, possibly resulting in loss of directional control of the sailplane.
• To address this unsafe condition, BACZ [Blanik Aircraft CZ s.r.o.] issued the MB [mandatory bulletin] and the IB [information bulletin] to provide inspection and replacement instructions.
• For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-time inspection and, depending on findings, replacement of affected parts.

Blanik Aircraft CZ s.r.o. advises that reporting by operators and maintenance facilities indicates that this issue is not an isolated event.

FMI: www.regulations.gov