84-20-01 ALEXANDER SCHLEICHER: Amendment 39-4871. Applies to Models ASW 15 and ASW 15 B sailplanes, certificated in any category.
Compliance is required as indicated, unless already accomplished.
To prevent elevator bellcrank failure due to fatigue, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 10 takeoffs or 25 hours time-in-service, whichever occurs first, unless already accomplished within the last 90 takeoffs or 75 hours time-in-service, and thereafter at intervals of 100 takeoffs or 100 hours time-in-service, whichever occurs first, visually inspect the bellcrank for cracks in accordance with Item 1 of the Instructions of Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 21 (TN No. 21), dated November 24, 1981.
(1) If no cracks are found, reconnect and re-rig the rudder following the manufacturer's instructions contained in TN No. 21.
(2) If cracks are found, prior to further flight, replace the bellcrank in accordance with Item 2 of TN No. 21. Use repairinstruction "A" of the technical manual for the applicable ASW 15 type sailplane. Thereafter, at intervals of 100 takeoffs or 100 hours time-in- service, whichever occurs first, perform the inspection required by Item 1 above.
(b) In lieu of replacement of the bellcrank, reinforcement of the bellcrank and modifications of the fin spar and root rib may be accomplished in accordance with Item 2 of the action required of Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 22 (TN No. 22), dated November 1, 1982. After reinforcement of the bellcrank in accordance with TN No. 22, the repetitive inspection of this AD is no longer required and TN No. 21 is no longer applicable.
The Alexander Schleicher Technical Notes No. 21 dated November 24, 1981, and No. 22 dated November 1, 1982, identified and described in this directive are incorporated herein and made a part hereof pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 522(a)(1). All persons affected by this directive who have not already received these documents fromthe manufacturer may obtain copies upon request to Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeubau, D-6414 Poppenhausen, Federal Republic of Germany. These documents may also be examined at the Office of Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlingon, Massachusetts 01803.
Alternate inspections, adjustment of the inspection interval, or other actions which provide an equivalent level of safety must be approved by the Manager, Brussels Aircraft Certification Staff, AEU-100, Europe, Africa and Middle East Office, FAA, c/o American Embassy, Brussels, Belgium, telephone 513.38.30.
This amendment becomes effective October 1, 1984.