Aircraft
Certification Service Washington, DC U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration
CE-08-06
November 14, 2007
This is information only. Recommendations
aren’t mandatory.
Introduction
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin informs you of an
airworthiness concern for Alexander Schleicher powered sailplane Model
ASW 28-18E, all serial numbers up to 28742 inclusive. The European
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued emergency airworthiness
directive (AD) number 2007-0042, dated February 21, 2007, for those
sailplanes registered for operation in Europe. That AD is based on
Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 2, dated September 1, 2006;
EASA approved on November 13, 2006.
Background
During manufacturer inspections, cracks were found on the RPM
sensor and fuel pump attachment plates. These cracks could lead to
loose parts, which may adversely affect engine operation. For airplanes
operating in Europe, the EASA AD requires replacing the RPM sensor and
fuel pump attachment plates, updating the engine instrument hardware,
and replacing a page in the flight manual.
Recommendations
These sailplanes are not type certificated in the United States
and, therefore, the condition is not addressed by FAA AD action.
However, these sailplanes could be operating in the United States with
an experimental airworthiness certificate or other means. We recommend
all owners and operators comply with actions outlined in Alexander
Schleicher Technical Note No. 2.