Flight Controls — Elevator Control System / Vertical Tail — Inspection
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AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of SZD-55-1 sailplanes must perform a visual inspection of the vertical tail opening size within 60 days of 25 April 2018 or during the next annual inspection, whichever occurs first. If any discrepancies are detected, they must contact Allstar PZL Glider for approved repair instructions and complete the corrective actions before the next flight. Documentation of compliance should be maintained as per regulatory standards.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0081 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting all serial numbers of the Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o.o. SZD-55-1 sailplanes. The directive mandates inspection of the elevator control system and vertical tail to ensure conformity with the original design, specifically addressing the size of the opening on top of the vertical tail related to the elevator control lever. This AD aims to prevent mis-rigging of the elevator control system that could lead to loss of control of the sailplane.
What changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0081 introduces a new mandatory inspection requirement for the SZD-55-1 sailplanes. It requires a one-time visual inspection of the vertical tail opening size and, if discrepancies are found, corrective actions must be taken before further flight. This AD is issued following a fatal accident linked to improper rigging of the elevator control system.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for operators and maintenance organizations to ensure the safe rigging of the elevator control system on SZD-55-1 sailplanes. Failure to comply could result in loss of control due to mis-rigging, posing serious safety risks. Compliance teams must incorporate this inspection into their maintenance schedules to meet regulatory requirements and maintain airworthiness.
Get the next one by email
New ADs and bulletins for Allstar Pzl Glider SZD-55-1 and PZL Glider Sp. z o.o. SZD-55-1, summarized like this page, every Monday.