Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17869 · Flight controls
Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-Produkcyjne Szybownictwa “PZL-Bielsko” Model SZD-50-3 “Puchacz” Sailplanes
This AD applies to Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-Produkcyjne Szybownictwa “PZL-Bielsko” Model SZD-50-3 “Puchacz” sailplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2004-11-10 for Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-Produkcyjne Szybownictwa "PZL-Bielsko" Model SZD-50-3 "Puchacz" 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 fatigue damage of the welded joint between the airbrake torque tube and the airbrake control system lever located inside the fuselage. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(6) of this AD:
(1) For sailplanes equipped with the old version torque tube, with or without reinforced corner: Initially within 30 days after July 22, 2014 (the effective date of this AD) and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 12 months or 100 hours time-in-service (TIS), whichever occurs first, do a detailed inspection of the airbrake torque tube following the inspection procedures in paragraph (2)(b) in Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o.o. Service Bulletin No. BE-062/SZD-50-3/2013 “PUCHACZ”, Revision A, dated September 16, 2013.
(2) For sailplanes equipped with the new type torque tube, with reinforced corner: Initially within 30 days after July 22, 2014 (the effective date of this AD) and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 12 months or 100 hours TIS, whichever occurs first, visually inspect the welded joint of the airbrake torque tube following the conditions of inspection, first bulleted item of paragraph (2)(a)(2), in Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o.o. Service Bulletin No. BE-062/SZD-50-3/2013 “PUCHACZ”, Revision A, dated September 16, 2013.
(3) For sailplanes equipped with the new type torque tube, with reinforced corner: During the first 1,000-hour inspection after July 22, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), and then repetitively at each scheduled 1,000-hour inspection, do a detailed inspection of the welded joint of the airbrake torque tube following the inspection procedures in paragraph (2)(b) in Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o.o. Service Bulletin No. BE-062/SZD-50-3/2013 “PUCHACZ”, Revision A, dated September 16, 2013.
(4) For all sailplanes: If during any inspection required by paragraph (f)(1), (f)(2), or (f)(3) of this AD any damage is found as detailed in paragraph (2)(c) of PZL Glider Sp. z o.o. Service Bulletin No. BE-062/SZD-50-3/2013 “PUCHACZ”, Revision A, dated September 16, 2013, before further flight, replace the airbrake torque tube as described in the Post-inspection procedures, paragraph (2)(c), of Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o.o. Service Bulletin No. BE-062/SZD-50-3/2013 “PUCHACZ”, Revision A, dated September 16, 2013.
(5) For all sailplanes: Replacement of an airbrake torque tube, as required by paragraph (f)(4) of this AD, does not constitute terminating action for inspection requirements of paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), and (f)(3) of this AD.
(6) For all sailplanes: Compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), or (f)(3) of this AD can be demonstrated by incorporating the applicable required inspections and follow-on corrective actions, as specified in Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o.o. Service Bulletin No. BE-062/SZD-50-3/2013 “PUCHACZ”, Revision A, dated September 16, 2013, into the approved instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) of the maintenance program.
