Flight Controls — Horizontal Tailplane Drive Lower Bearing — Modification
- Published
- Effective
- Replaces
- 80-243
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of affected Standard Cirrus sailplanes must inspect the elevator drive fitting within four months after 26 December 2024, following the instructions in Schempp-Hirth Technical Note 278-25 revision 1. If an affected bearing is found, it must be replaced with a serviceable part within the same timeframe. Additionally, installation of affected parts is prohibited from 26 December 2024 onward. Reviewing maintenance records is an acceptable alternative to physical inspection.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2024-0242R1 is a regulatory document addressing the horizontal tailplane drive lower bearing on Standard Cirrus sailplanes manufactured by SCHEMPP-HIRTH Flugzeugbau GmbH. It applies specifically to Standard Cirrus sailplanes with certain serial numbers and mandates inspection and possible replacement of affected lower ball bearings to ensure continued airworthiness.
What changed
This revision updates the original AD 2024-0242 by including the previously omitted reference to Luftfahrt-Bundesamt AD (LTA) 80-243 and formally supersedes it. It clarifies that both the EL6 lower ball bearing ('type 1a') and the self-aligning lower ball bearing ('type 1b') are affected, expanding the scope of the required inspections and replacements.
Why it matters
This AD is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a safety issue where broken lower ball bearings could cause jamming of the tailplane drive, potentially leading to loss of control of the sailplane. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must ensure timely inspections and replacements to maintain safe flight operations and regulatory compliance.
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