Flight Controls — Elevator Mass Balance and Balance Fittings — Inspection / Replacement
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
- Replaces
- 2018-0219
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of Group 1 powered sailplanes must perform repetitive visual inspections within 14 days or 5 flight hours after 26 October 2018 and continue at intervals not exceeding 25 flight hours. Any cracked parts must be replaced before the next flight with serviceable or improved parts. Additionally, all affected parts must be replaced with improved parts within 12 months after 27 April 2021, the effective date of this directive, to terminate inspection requirements.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2021-0102 is an airworthiness directive addressing the inspection and replacement of elevator mass balance and balance fittings on M&D Flugzeugbau GmbH AVO 68 powered sailplanes, including models AVO 68-R, AVO 68-R 100, AVO 68-R 115, AVO 68-s, and AVO 68-v “Samburo”. The directive mandates inspections for cracks and requires replacement of affected parts with improved parts to ensure flight safety. It applies to elevator mass balance fittings that have shown manufacturing and dimensioning deficiencies leading to cracks.
What changed
This directive supersedes EASA AD 2018-0219 and retains its inspection requirements while introducing a mandatory replacement of affected elevator mass balance fittings with improved parts identified by Part Number AVo68-03.05.16. It also establishes new compliance timelines and allows installation only of improved parts after replacement. The directive formalizes the use of updated Mandatory Service Bulletins for inspection and modification.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for operators and maintenance organizations to prevent potential detachment of elevator balance masses, which could cause damage and reduce longitudinal control of the powered sailplanes. Compliance ensures continued airworthiness and safety of affected aircraft. It also clarifies inspection intervals and replacement procedures, aiding maintenance planning and regulatory adherence.
More for M&D Flugzeugbau AVO 68 (Samburo)
All 2Get the next one by email
New ADs and bulletins for these 6 aircraft types, summarized like this page, every Monday.