AD 2020-13-09 Describes The Unsafe Condition As The Rear Locking Rod Of The Rear Canopy

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-500 Elan Orion, DG-500 Elan Trainer, DG-500/20 Elan, DG-500/22 Elan, DG500M, and DG-500MB gliders and certain Models DG-1000S and DG-1000T gliders.

This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as the rear locking rod of the rear canopy rotating out of the threads of the operating mechanism, which could lead to blocking of the canopy emergency release system, preventing safe escape of occupants from the glider. The FAA is issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective August 26, 2020.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA AD No. 2019-0237R1, dated September 24, 2019, (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-500 Elan Orion, DG-500 Elan Trainer, DG-500/20 Elan, DG500/22 Elan, DG-500M and DG-500MB, and certain Models DG-1000S and DG-1000T gliders. The MCAI states:

• Occurrences have been reported where the rear locking rod of the rear canopy rotated out of the threads of the operating mechanism. Due to the similarity in design, the front canopy locking mechanism may also be affected.
• This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to blocking of the canopy emergency release system, possibly preventing safe escape of the occupant(s) from the (powered) sailplane in case of an in-flight emergency.
• To address this unsafe condition, DG-Flugzeugbau published the TN [DGFlugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note TN1000/42 and  TN500/13] and the RI [Repair Instruction RI-DG-05] to provide inspection and repair instructions.
• For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires repetitive inspections of the front and rear canopy to determine if the end of the rear locking rod protrudes over the canopy frame contour, and annual checks of the front and rear canopy rear locking rods to determine that they are screwed in tightly, and, depending on findings, repair of the canopy rear locking rods. This [EASA] AD also requires amendment of the applicable Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM).
• This [EASA] AD is revised to remove the references to the TN instruction paragraphs, which have changed with TN issue 01.b. The revised TN issues were added to the list of reference publications.

You may examine the MCAI on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0600.

FMI: www.regulations.gov