Aircraft
Certification Service Washington, DC U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration
CE-10-03
October 7, 2009
This is information only. Recommendations
aren’t mandatory.
Introduction
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) informs you of
an airworthiness concern on Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau Model DG-100G
sailplanes, serial numbers 5 and 21 through 103.
Background
In 1978, DG-Flugzeugbau issued Technical Note No. 301/6, which
recommended an inspection of the elevator control bearing stand RU19
for correct production. SAIB No. ACE-98-19 was issued by the FAA to
address this concern. In 2009, an accident occurred with a DG-100. The
suspension bolt was found torn out of the bearing stand making the
elevator uncontrollable. An investigation confirmed that the bearing
stand had not been produced correctly. It is therefore assumed that the
inspection per TN 301/6 did not produce reliable results. As a
consequence, DG Flugzeugbau has issued Technical Note No. 301/26, which
recommends a before-further-flight inspection and possible replacement
of the bearing stand with a reinforced version. This condition, if not
corrected, may lead to loss of control of the sailplane.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued Emergency
Airworthiness Directive No. 2009-0163-E, dated July 29, 2009. This AD
requires a before-further-flight inspection and possible replacement of
the elevator control bearing stand RU19.
Recommendations
These sailplanes are not type certificated in the United States and, therefore, the condition is not addressed by FAA AD action.
We recommend all owners and operators comply with actions outlined in DG Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 301/26.