EASA AD 2022-0076
Aircraft Flight Manual — Amendment
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0076 is an amendment addressing the Arcus M and Arcus powered sailplanes, as well as Ventus-3M powered sailplanes manufactured by Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH. This directive mandates changes to the Aircraft Flight Manual to include daily checks of the lower rudder attachment to detect potential axial play. The directive aims to ensure continued safe operation of these sailplanes by preventing restricted rudder movement.
What Changed
This new Airworthiness Directive requires amending the Aircraft Flight Manual to incorporate daily inspections of the lower rudder attachment for axial play. It introduces mandatory checks before each flight and after any hard landing, with instructions to contact the manufacturer for corrective actions if any issues are found. The directive does not supersede any previous ADs.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for maintaining safe yaw control of the affected powered sailplanes, preventing potential control limitations caused by undetected axial play in the rudder lower attachment. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must implement these checks to avoid reduced aircraft controllability and ensure regulatory compliance. Failure to comply could lead to unsafe flight conditions and regulatory violations.
What To Do
Affected operators must amend the Aircraft Flight Manual within 90 days of 13 May 2022 to include the daily rudder attachment check procedures as specified in the Schempp-Hirth Technical Notes. Pilots must perform these checks daily and after any hard landing, and if axial play is detected, they must contact Schempp-Hirth for approved corrective instructions before the next flight. Compliance with these actions is mandatory to continue operating the affected sailplanes.
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