Aircraft
Certification Service Washington, DC U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration
CE-08-09
November 26, 2007
This is information only. Recommendations
aren’t mandatory.
Introduction
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin informs you of an
airworthiness concern for Société Nouvelle Centrair Model
201 gliders, serial numbers 201-026 and above.
Background
Two separate occurrences of cracks have been found on the air brake
control levers. Centrair maintenance programs stipulate inspection of
the air brake control system for deformation and inspection of the
pivoting joints for condition, as part of the annual and major
inspections. The origin of these cracks has not been determined.
The Direction Generale de l’aviation Civile France (DGAC, the French
aviation authority) has issued airworthiness directive (AD) number
F-2004-008, dated January 21, 2004 (approved by the European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA)), for those sailplanes registered for operation in
Europe. That AD is based on Centrair Service Bulletin No. 201-24,
original issue or later approved revision.
At this time, this airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition
that would warrant AD action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR) part 39.
Recommendations
We recommend all owners and operators comply with actions outlined in Centrair Service Bulletin No. 201-24.