EASA AD No.: 2014-0015

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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2014-0015 

Date: 14 January 2014 

Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation 

(EC) No 216/2008 on behalf of the European Community, its Member States and of the 

European third countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of that 

Regulation.

This AD is issued in accordance with EU 748/2012, Part 21.A.3B. In accordance with EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the 

continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate an 

aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agency [EC 

2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [EC 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption]. 

Design Approval Holder’s Name: 

ALLSTAR PZL GLIDER Sp. z o.o. 

Type/Model designation(s): 

SZD-50-3 “Puchacz” sailplanes 

TCDS Number: EASA.A.312 

Foreign AD: Not applicable 

Supersedure: This AD supersedes Civil Aviation Office (CAO) of Poland AD SP-0052-2003-A, 

dated 22 July 2003. 

ATA 27 Flight Controls – Airbrake Control Torque Tube – Inspection / 

Replacement 

Manufacturer(s): Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o.o. (Allstar PZL) 

Przedsiębiorstwo Doświadczalno-Produkcyjne Szybownictwa „PZL-Bielsko”. 

Applicability: SZD-50-3 “Puchacz” sailplanes, all serial numbers. 

Reason: Several occurrences of airbrake torque tube failure were reported on SZD-50-3 

“Puchacz” sailplanes. In all cases, as a result of disruption of the welded joint 

between torque tube and the lever, the broken torque tube detached from the 

lever located in the fuselage. The result of subsequent investigations identified 

fatigue damage, as a consequence of periodical striking load exceeding the 

established maximum value, to be a possible failure cause. Additionally, 

corrosion damage was identified at internal surface of the opened tube. 

This condition, if not detected and corrected, would inhibit the function of the 

airbrake, possibly resulting in reduced control of the sailplane. 

Prompted by these findings, Allstar PZL issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 

BE-052/SZD-50-3/2003 to provide inspection instructions. CAO of Poland 

issued AD SP-0052-2003-A to require a one-time inspection of the airbrake 

torque tube in the area of welded joint in accordance with that SB. 

Since that AD was issued, Allstar PZL issued SB No. BE-062/SZD-50-3/2013 to 

introduce repetitive inspections and accomplishment instructions for reinforced 

torque tube inspections. 

For the reasons described above, this AD supersedes CAO of Poland AD 

SP-0052-2003-A and requires repetitive inspections of the airbrake torque tube 

and, depending on findings, replacement with a serviceable part. 
EASA AD No.: 2014-0015

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Effective Date: 28 January 2014 

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

(1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD and, thereafter, at 

intervals not to exceed the values as defined in Allstar PZL SB No. 

BE-062/SZD-50-3/2013, as applicable, depending on torque tube 

configuration, inspect the airbrake torque tube in accordance with the 

instructions of Allstar PZL SB No. BE-062/SZD-50-3/2013. 

(2) If, during the inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, any 

discrepancy is detected, as detailed in Allstar PZL SB 

No. BE-062/SZD-50-3/2013, before next flight, replace the airbrake torque 

tube with a serviceable airbrake torque tube in accordance with the 

instructions of Allstar PZL SB No. BE-062/SZD-50-3/2013. 

(3) Replacement of an airbrake torque tube, as required by paragraph (2) of 

this AD, does not constitute terminating action for repetitive inspections as 

required by paragraph (1) of this AD. 

(4) Compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this AD can 

be demonstrated by: 

(4.1) Revising as follows the approved Aircraft Maintenance Programme 

(AMP), on the basis of which, the operator or the owner ensures the 

continuing airworthiness of each operated sailplane: 

Incorporate the applicable repetitive inspections and follow-on 

corrective actions, as specified in Allstar PZL SB No. 

BE-062/SZD-50-3/2013, 

and 

(4.2) Complying with the approved AMP described in paragraph (4.1) of 

this AD. 

Ref. Publications: Allstar PZL SB No. BE-062/SZD-50-3/2013 dated 16 September 2013. 

The use of later approved revisions of this document is acceptable for 

compliance with the requirements of this AD. 

Remarks: 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve 

Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD. 

2. This AD was posted on 12 December 2013 as PAD 13-182 for consultation 

until 09 January 2014. No comments were received during the consultation 

period. 

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Safety Information 

Section, Executive Directorate, EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu. 

4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in 

this AD, please contact: 

Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o.o., ul. Cieszyńska 325 

43-300 Bielsko-Biała / Poland 

Telephone / Fax: +48 33 812 50 26, E-mail: techsupport@szd.com.pl.