AD 2006-19-08 Airworthiness Directives; Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Model STEMME S10-VT Sailplanes

This AD applies to Model STEMME S10-VT sailplanes, serial numbers 11-001 through 11-103, that are certificated in any category.

To address this problem, you must do the following, unless done previously:   Actions Compliance Procedures (1) Inspect all exhaust bends (each cylinder 1 to 4) in the area of the curvature bend near the cylinder flange for deformations, cracks, and/or flattening. Use a minimum 10X magnifier to aid the inspection Within the next 10 hours time-in-service after Octoober 10, 2006 Follow Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Service Bulletin A31-10-075 Am.-Index: 01.a, dated July 06, 2006, except use a minimum 10X magnifier to aid the inspection. (2) If any damage (deformation, cracks, and/or flattening) is found in the inspection required in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, replace the damaged exhaust pipe Before further flight after the inspection required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD Follow Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Service Bulletin A31-10-075 Am.-Index: 01.a, dated July 06, 2006. (3) Recondition the heat protection wrapping Before further flight after the inspection done in paragraph (e)(1) or the replacement done in paragraph (e)(2) of this AD Follow Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Service Bulletin A31-10-075 Am.-Index: 01.a, dated July 06, 2006. Note: According to the Maintenance Manual an inspection of the condition of the exhaust pipes is scheduled for every 100 flight hours. It is recommended to pay special attention to this item. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (f) The Manager, Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Gregory Davison, Glider Project Manager, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Related Information (g) This AD is related to European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 2006-0217-E, Issue date: July 17, 2006, which references Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Service Bulletin A31-10-075 Am.-Index: 01.a, dated July 06, 2006. Material Incorporated by Reference (h) You must do the actions required by this AD following the instructions in Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Service Bulletin A31-10-075 Am.-Index: 01.a, dated July 06, 2006. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get a copy of this service information, contact STEMME AG-Flugplatzstraβe F2, Nr. 7, D-15344 Strausberg, Germany; telephone: +49.33.41/36 12-0; fax: +49.33 41/36 12-30. To review copies of this service information, go to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html or call (202) 741-6030. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2006-25689; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-45-AD. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 11, 2006. David R. Showers, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E6-15329 Filed 9-18-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from deformations and cracks found at an exhaust bend during maintenance work. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the exhaust pipes. Damaged exhaust pipes could cause exhaust gases to expand into the engine compartment and/or carbon monoxide to leak into the cockpit section.