A reliable approach to rigging a sailplane
- Published
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators and owners of affected sailplanes should carefully review the rigging instructions in the Aircraft Flight Manual and Maintenance Manual, conduct visual inspections of the wing fitting components, and practice rigging under supervision if unfamiliar. During rigging, only approved tools should be used, alignment must be precise, and the expansion of bevel bolts must be confirmed before flight. No explicit compliance deadline is provided.
Summary
EASA Safety Information Bulletin SIB No: 2011-11 provides guidance on a reliable approach to rigging certain sailplanes, specifically the SZD-24C “Foka”, SZD-24-4A “Foka 4”, SZD-32A “Foka 5”, and SZD-36A “Cobra 15”. The bulletin addresses issues related to the wing attachment rigging mechanism, particularly the engagement of bevel bolts in the lug stack during rigging. It references findings from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch following an accident involving a SZD-24-4A “Foka 4”.
What changed
This bulletin introduces recommendations to ensure that the lower bevel bolts in the wing main fitting mechanism are fully engaged during rigging. It highlights the need for type certificate holders to implement means to verify full engagement of these bolts and advises operators on proper rigging procedures to prevent improper assembly and potential wing spar disconnection.
Why it matters
Proper rigging of the wing main fitting mechanism is critical to flight safety, as inadequate rigging can lead to partial wing spar connection and possible structural failure. This information is essential for operators and maintenance personnel to prevent accidents caused by rigging errors and to ensure the integrity of the wing attachment.
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