AD 98-24-30 Airworthiness Directives; Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Models S10, S10-V, and S10-VT Sailplanes

The following models and serial number sailplanes, certificated in any category: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Model Serial numbers ------------------------------------------------------------------------ S10........................... 10-03 through 10-63. S10-V......................... 14-002 through 14-030 and transformed S10-V sailplanes with serial numbers of 14-012M through 14-063M. S10-VT........................ 11-001, 11-004 through 11-013, and 11- 015. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Note 1: This AD applies to each sailplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For sailplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless already accomplished. To detect and correct cracks in certain areas of the flight control system, which could result in flight control system failure with consequent reduced or loss of control of the sailplane, accomplish the following: (a) Upon accumulating 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) on the flight control system or within the next 5 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, inspect the following areas in the flight control system, in accordance with the Instructions section of Stemme Service Bulletin A31-10-032, Amendment-Index 02.a, dated July 10, 1998: (1) The longitudinal coupling, part number (P/N) 10SH-RVH; (2) The wing flap coupling, P/N 10SW-RVW; (3) The airbrake control coupling, P/N 10SB-RVW; (4) The flap drive rocker, P/N 10SW-RMW; and (5) The flap/aileron interference shaft, P/N 10SQ-RMW. (b) Prior to further flight after the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, replace any cracked part with a modified part. (1) Obtain modified parts (including installation instructions), except for the longitudinal coupling, from the manufacturer through the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, at the address specified in paragraph (e) of this AD. (2) Obtain modified longitudinal coupling from the manufacturer as specified in Stemme Service Bulletin A31-10-032, Amendment-Index 02.a, dated July 10, 1998; and install this modified longitudinal coupling in accordance with Stemme Installation Instructions A34-10- 032-E, Amendment-Index 01.a, dated August 10, 1998. Note 2: Stemme Service Bulletin A31-10-032, Amendment-Index 02.a, dated July 10, 1998, includes a return form for reporting the findings of the crack inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD. The FAA encourages all owners/operators of the affected sailplanes to have this form filled out and send it to the manufacturer at the address specified in paragraph (g) of this AD. (c) Within the next 6 calendar months after the effective date of this AD or within the next 100 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, unless already accomplished (compliance with the applicable part of paragraph (b) of this AD), obtain modified longitudinal coupling from the manufacturer as specified in Stemme Service Bulletin A31-10-032, Amendment-Index 02.a, dated July 10, 1998; and install this modified longitudinal coupling in accordance with Stemme Installation Instructions A34-10- 032-E, Amendment-Index 01.a, dated August 10, 1998. (d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install on any affected sailplane, longitudinal coupling that has not been modified as specified in Stemme Service Bulletin A31-10-032, Amendment-Index 02.a, dated July 10, 1998; and installed in accordance with Stemme Installation Instructions A34-10-032-E, Amendment-Index 01.a, dated August 10, 1998. (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the sailplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. (f) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate. Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate. (g) Questions or technical information related to the service information referenced in this AD should be directed to Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355 Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: 49.33.41.31.11.70; facsimile: 49.33.41.31.11.73. This service information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. (h) The inspection required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Stemme [[Page 65060]] Service Bulletin A31-10-032, Amendment-Index 02.a, dated July 10, 1998. The longitudinal coupling replacement required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Stemme Installation Instructions A34-10-032-E, Amendment-Index 01.a, dated August 10, 1998. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer- Allee 25, D-13355 Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC. Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 1998- 323, dated July 1, 1998. (i) This amendment becomes effective on December 18, 1998. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 17, 1998. Michael Gallagher, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 98-31434 Filed 11-24-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U