AD 2012-06-13 Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders

This AD applies to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-500 Elan Orion, DG-500 Elan Trainer, DG-500/20 Elan, DG-500/22 Elan, DG-500M, and DG-500MB gliders, all serial numbers (S/N), certificated in any category.

Unless already done, do the following actions: (1) For all gliders: Within 30 days after May 4, 2012 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the bulkhead of the CG tow hook and the bulkhead's glued joints for damage following DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 500/04, dated August 30, 2011; and DG Flugzeugbau Working Instruction No. 1 for TN500/04, dated August 30, 2011. (2) For all gliders: If you find damage during the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, reinforce the bulkhead of the CG tow hook following DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 500/04, dated August 30, 2011; and DG Flugzeugbau Working Instruction No. 1 for TN500/04, dated August 30, 2011. (3) For all gliders: Unless already done as required by paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, within 5 months after May 4, 2012 (the effective date of this AD), reinforce the bulkhead of the CG tow hook following DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 500/04, dated August 30, 2011; and DG Flugzeugbau Working Instruction No. 1 for TN500/04, dated August 30, 2011. (4) For gliders with S/N 5E1 through S/N 5E23: While doing the modification required by paragraph (f)(2) or (f)(3) of this AD, install a new adapted tow hook access cover following DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 500/04, dated August 30, 2011; and DG Flugzeugbau Working Instruction No. 1 for TN500/04, dated August 30, 2011. (5) For all gliders: Although the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) MCAI and DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 500/04, dated August 30, 2011, allow the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD to be done by a pilot-owner, the U.S. regulatory system requires all actions of this AD to be done by a certified mechanic.

The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

This AD was prompted by damage to the bulkhead of the glider's center of gravity (CG) tow hook that, if not detected and corrected, may lead to failure of the fiberglass structure during a winch launch. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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