The bulletin
Text extracted from the PDF.
SPECIAL
AIRWORTHINESS
INFORMATION
BULLETIN
REGULATORY SUPPORT DIVISION P.O. BOX 26460 OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA 73125-0460
U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration
No. ACE-99-34 August 19, 1999
SAIB’s are posted on the internet at http://av-info.faa.gov This is issued for informational purposes only and any recommendation for corrective action is not mandatory.
Introduction:
The purpose of this Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) is to provide safety information to Schempp-Hirth sailplane owners on the following:
• Proper flight control rod end security
Background:
During an accident inspection on a Schempp-Hirth sailplane, the jam nuts on the rod ends in the flight controls were noted for not being properl y secured between the control sticks and under the pilot seats. This was not the cause of the accident; however, this is a general safety issue.
Safety Issue:
The FAA recommends a one-time inspection for prope r security of rod ends at all accessible locations in all flight control systems. If a ny of the jam nuts are found loose, a determination should be made to ensure that the rod end is thr eaded with the proper number of turns in the control rod. The rod end should then be properly installed. Proper security of the control rod ends should be checked during all scheduled airworthiness inspections.
General Information:
The FAA provides this information as a courtesy to operators of the Schempp-Hirth sailplane owners/operators because this is a potential safety issue. This safety issue will not be tracked or enforced by the FAA. Furthermore, the FAA will not use an SAIB to track all safety related items for either type certificated or non-type certificated products.
For Further Information Contact:
Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer/Pilot, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, Suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169; email:
mike.kiesov@faa.gov.