Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16996 · Equipment/furnishing
DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Sailplanes
This AD applies to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-500 Elan Orion, DG-500 Elan Trainer, DG-500/20 Elan, and DG-500/22 Elan sailplanes and Models DG-500M and DG-500MB powered sailplanes, all serial numbers, that are:
(i) Equipped with a headrest on the rear seat; and
(ii) Certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-500 Elan Orion, DG-500 Elan Trainer, DG-500/ 20 Elan, and DG-500/22 Elan sailplanes and Models DG-500M and DG-500MB powered sailplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as incorrect re-installation of the rear cockpit securing rope for the headrest of the rear seat during maintenance, which could cause the rear seat to interfere with the control stick of the sailplane. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Unless already done, do the following actions:
(1) Within the next 30 days after May 15, 2012 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the rear cockpit headrest securing rope to determine the length. Do the inspection as specified in Instruction No. 2 of DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 500/05, dated September 19, 2011.
(i) If the length of the rear cockpit headrest securing rope is more than 450 millimeters (mm) or less than 400 mm, before further flight after the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, adjust the length of the rear cockpit headrest securing rope to a length between 400 mm and 450 mm as shown in Sketch 2 of DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Working Instruction No. 1 for TN348/20, Issue 3, dated September 13, 2011. After doing the adjustment, do the action required in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD.
(ii) If the length of the rear cockpit headrest securing rope is between 400 mm and 450 mm, do the action required in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD.
(2) Within 3 months after May 15, 2012 (the effective date of this AD), replace the rear cockpit headrest securing rope with a rear cockpit headrest securing rope with a snap hook. Do the replacement following DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Working Instruction No. 1 for TN348/20, Issue 3, dated September 13, 2011, as specified in Instruction No. 3 of DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 500/05, dated September 19, 2011.
(3) Replacement of the rear cockpit headrest securing rope with a rear cockpit headrest securing rope with a snap hook done before May 15, 2012 (the effective date of this AD) following DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Working Instruction No. 1 for TN348/20, Issue 2, is considered acceptable for compliance with paragraph (f)(2) of this AD.
(4) Although the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) MCAI and DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 500/05, dated September 19, 2011, allows the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD to be done by a pilot-owner, the U.S. regulatory system requires all actions required by this AD be done by a certified mechanic.
