Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15543 · Fuel
Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Model S10-VT Powered Sailplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2010-11-08. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Model S10-VT powered sailplanes, serial numbers 11-001 through 11-112, certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above that will supersede an existing AD. This AD results from 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 describes the unsafe condition as:
Unless already done, do the following actions:
(1) For all sailplanes affected by this AD, except for serial numbers 11-036, 11-067, 11-068, and 11-090: Before further flight after March 21, 2008 (the compliance date retained from AD 2008-03-06), replace all plastic T- and Y-connectors in the fuel system with metal connectors. Do the replacements following STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-082, AM.—Index: 01.a, dated November 30, 2007.
Note: Serial numbers 11-036, 11-067, 11-068, and 11-090 had the plastic T- and Y-connectors in the fuel system replaced with metal connectors by the manufacturer.
(2) For all sailplanes affected by this AD: Before further flight after June 23, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the fuel system for possible leakage. Do the inspection following STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-083, Am-Index: 01.a, dated February 26, 2008.
(3) For all sailplanes affected by this AD: If any leak is found during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, before further flight, repair the leak following an FAA-approved repair procedure and replace all STEMME part number (P/N) M476 single-ear clamps in the fuel system with P/N 10M-181 single-ear clamps. Do the replacements following STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-083, Am-Index: 01.a, dated February 26, 2008.
(4) After June 23, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), do not install plastic “T” and “Y” shape connectors and P/N M476 single-ear clamps in the fuel system.
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: (1) The MCAI and the service information require replacing all P/N M476 single-ear clamps in the fuel system with P/N 10M-181 single-ear clamps within the next 12 months after the effective date. (2) This AD is considered an interim action because we are not including a mandatory requirement to replace all STEMME P/N M476 single-ear clamps in the fuel system with P/N 10M-181 single-ear clamps on all affected sailplanes unless a leak in the fuel system is found. The Administrative Procedure Act does not permit the FAA to “bootstrap” a long-term requirement into an urgent safety of flight action where the rule becomes effective at the same time the public has the opportunity to comment. The short-term action and the long-term action are analyzed separately for justification to bypass prior public notice. (3) After issuing this AD, we may initiate further AD action (notice of proposed rulemaking followed by a final rule) to require replacing all P/N M476 single-ear clamps in the fuel system with P/N 10M-181 single-ear clamps on all affected sailplanes by a specified time. Credit will be given in any subsequent action for the replacement done under this AD.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
