EASA AD No.: 2015-0046 

TE.CAP.00110-004 © European Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. 1/2 

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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2015-0046 

Date: 16 March 2015 

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 EU 1321/2014 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 [EU 

1321/2014 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: None 

ATA 27 Flight Controls – Rudder Control Cable Fitting – Inspection / 

Reinforcement 

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: An occurrence was reported involving a SZD-50-3 “Puchacz” sailplane, where a 

rudder cable fitting block, located in the forward part of the fuselage, detached 

after application of a high load on the steering pedal during spin recovery 

operation. Subsequent investigations determined that the failure was either 

caused by a manufacturing deficiency or originated by a crack. 

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to further cases of 

rudder cable fitting block detachment, resulting in reduced control of the 

sailplane. 

To address this unsafe condition, Allstar PZL issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 

BE-063/SZD-50-3/2014, to provide inspection and reinforcement instructions. 

For the reasons described above, this AD requires accomplishment of a onetime inspection of both (right hand (RH) and left hand (LH)) rudder cable fitting 

blocks to verify proper attachment to the fuselage shell and, depending on 

finding(s), a repair. This AD also requires reinforcement of the affected 

structural area. 

Effective Date: 30 March 2015 
EASA AD No.: 2015-0046 

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Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

(1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, inspect the area around 

both (RH and LH) rudder cable fitting blocks in accordance with the 

instructions of Allstar PZL SB No. BE-063/SZD-50-3/2014. 

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

or fitting block detachment is detected, before next flight, repair and 

reinforce the attachment of both (RH and LH) rudder cable fitting blocks in 

accordance with the instructions of Allstar PZL SB No. BE-063/SZD-50-

3/2014. 

(3) Unless accomplished as required by paragraph (2) of this AD, within 12 

months after the effective date of this AD, reinforce the attachment of both 

(RH and LH) rudder cable fitting blocks in accordance with the instructions 

of Allstar PZL SB No. BE-063/SZD-50-3/2014. 

(4) Sailplanes modified, before the effective date of this AD, in accordance 

with former German Democratic Republic Änderungsanweisung No. SZD50-3/3 are compliant with the requirements of this AD. 

Ref. Publications: Allstar PZL SB No. BE-063/SZD-50-3/2014 dated 14 December 2014. 

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

compliance with the requirements of this AD. 

Änderungsanweisung No. SZD-50-3/3 dated 18 May 1988. 

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

Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD. 

2. This AD was posted on 20 January 2015 as PAD 15-003 for consultation 

until 17 February 2015. The Comment Response Document can be found 

at http://ad.easa.europa.eu. 

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

Section, Certification 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.