Summary
This document proposes to revise an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) that would have required installing a safety device for the tailplane locking hook on certain Schempp-Hirth K.G. (Schempp-Hirth) Models Standard-Cirrus, Nimbus-2, JANUS, and Mini- Nimbus HS-7 sailplanes. The proposed AD was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent the locking hook on the tailplane attachment bracket from disengaging, which could result in the horizontal tailplane coming loose from the fin with possible loss of longitudinal control of the sailplane. Since issuing the NPRM, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) realized that it inadvertently omitted serial number 176 of the Schempp-Hirth Model Nimbus-2 sailplanes from the NPRM. The FAA has determined that this sailplane should be incorporated into the proposed AD, and that the comment period for the proposal should be reopened and the public should have additional time to comment.