EASA AD No.: 2013-0054

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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2013-0054

Date: 05 March 2013

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 21A.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:

SCHEMPP-HIRTH FLUGZEUGBAU GmbH 

Type/Model designation(s):

Nimbus-4DT, Duo Discus T and Arcus T 

powered sailplanes

TCDS Number: EASA.A.063, EASA.A.074, EASA.A.532 

Foreign AD: Not applicable 

Supersedure: This AD supersedes EASA AD 2013-0012 dated 15 January 2013. 

ATA Sailplane Flight Manual / Maintenance Manual – Amendment

Manufacturer(s): Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH 

Applicability: Nimbus-4DT powered sailplanes, serial numbers (S/N) 10 through 15 

(inclusive). 

Duo Discus T powered sailplanes, S/N 1 through 240 (inclusive). 

Arcus T powered sailplanes, S/N 1, and S/N 3 through 30 (inclusive). 

Reason: It was found that the accomplishment instructions provided to check the 

powered sailplane’s propeller hub and blades were not sufficient to detect 

cracks and/or other damage. The results of a subsequent manual review 

revealed that some other operating instructions provided by the sailplane flight 

and maintenance manual were neither correct nor sufficient. 

This condition, if not corrected, could lead to operation of the powered sailplane 

outside its certified limits. 

To address this unsafe condition, EASA issued AD 2013-0012 to require 

amendment of sailplane flight- and maintenance manuals to correct the 

operating instruction deficiencies and inaccuracies and, for Arcus T sailplanes 

that had been repaired before the applicable maintenance manual update, an 

elevator or wing flap hinge moment weight check, as applicable. 

Since that AD was published, Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH determined 

that Action 3 of the accomplishment instructions of Technical Note (Technische 

Mitteilung) (TN) 890-13, referenced for Duo Discus T sailplanes, was incorrect 

for S/N 1 through 174. To correct this erroneous maintenance instruction, 

Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH issued TN 890-13 issue 2. 
EASA AD No.: 2013-0054

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For the reasons described above, this AD retains the requirements of EASA 

AD 2013-0012, which is superseded, and requires, for certain Duo Discus T 

powered sailplanes, the use of instructions as provided in TN 890-13 issue 2. 

Effective Date: 19 March 2013 

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

(1) Within the compliance times as defined in Appendix 1 of this AD, 

accomplish each required action as identified in Appendix 1 of this AD, in 

accordance with the instructions of the referenced Schempp-Hirth 

Flugzeugbau GmbH TN, as applicable to the powered sailplane type. 

(2) If, during accomplishment of any rudder, elevator and wing flap hinge 

moment and weight check for Arcus T powered sailplane, in accordance 

with the instructions of Action 6 of TN A532-1, as required by the 

paragraph (1) of this AD, any discrepancy is detected, before next flight, 

correct the affected control surface hinge moment or weight, as applicable, 

in accordance with approved maintenance instructions. 

(3) For Duo Discus T powered sailplanes S/N 1 through 174 (inclusive): 

Amendment of Duo Discus T powered sailplane Maintenance Manual in 

accordance with the instructions of TN 890-13 at original issue dated 15 

October 2012 is not acceptable for compliance with the requirements of 

this AD. After the effective date of this AD, TN 890-13 issue 2 (or later 

approved issue) must be used. 

(4) For Duo Discus T powered sailplanes S/N 175 through 240 (inclusive): 

Amendment of Duo Discus T powered sailplane Maintenance Manual in 

accordance with the instructions of TN 890-13 at original issue is 

acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this AD. 

(5) Amendment of the powered sailplane flight and maintenance manual and 

replacement of cockpit placards accomplished in accordance with the 

instructions of TN 868-21, TN 890-13 or TN A532-1, as applicable to the 

powered sailplane type, may be performed by the Pilot-Owner according to 

the provisions of M.A.803 of Part M (annex I to Commission Regulation 

(EC) No 2042/2003 of 20 November 2003). 

Ref. Publications: Schempp-Hirth TN 868-21 for Nimbus-4DT, dated 15 October 2012, 

Schempp-Hirth TN 890-13 for Duo Discus T issued 15 October 2013, or 

issue 2 dated 11 February 2013, 

Schempp-Hirth TN A532-1 for Arcus T, issued 15 October 2012. 

The use of later approved revisions of these documents 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. Based on the required actions and the compliance time, EASA have 

decided to issue a Final AD with Request for Comments, postponing the 

public consultation process until after publication. 

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: 

SCHEMPP-HIRTH Flugzeugbau GmbH, Krebenstrasse 25, 73230 

Kirchheim / Teck, GERMANY 

Telephone: +49 7021 7298-0, FAX: +49 7021 7298-199

e-mail: info@schempp-hirth.com. 
EASA AD No.: 2013-0054

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Appendix 1 – Required Actions and Compliance Times 

Powered sailplane type Required action Accomplishment 

instruction Compliance time 

Nimbus-4DT Amend the powered 

sailplane flight and 

maintenance manual 

In accordance 

with TN 868-21, 

as applicable 

Within 30 days after 

29 January 2013 [the 

effective date of AD 

2013-0012] 

Duo Discus T 

Amend the powered 

sailplane flight manual 

In accordance 

with Action 1 of 

TN 890-13 

Within 30 days after 

29 January 2013 [the 

effective date of AD 

2013-0012] 

Amend the powered 

sailplane flight and 

maintenance manual 

In accordance 

with Action 2 and 

Action 3 of TN 

890-13 

Within 60 days after 

the effective date of 

this AD 

Replace cockpit placard In accordance 

with Action 4 of 

TN 890-13 

Transfer weight and 

balance data from weight 

and balance report into 

the weight and balance 

log sheet 

In accordance 

with Action 5 of 

TN 890-13 

Arcus T 

Amend the powered 

sailplane flight manual 

In accordance 

with Action 1 of 

TN A532-1 

Within 30 days after 

29 January 2013 [the 

effective date of AD 

2013-0012] 

Amend the powered 

sailplane flight and 

maintenance manual 

In accordance 

with Action 2 and 

Action 3 of TN 

A532-1 

Within 90 days after 

29 January 2013 [the 

effective date of AD 

2013-0012] 

Replace cockpit placard In accordance 

with Action 4 of 

TN A532-1 

Transfer weight and 

balance data from weight 

and balance report into 

the weight and balance 

log sheet 

In accordance 

with Action 5 of 

TN A532-1 

For powered sailplanes, 

on which, before 29 

January 2013 [the 

effective date of AD 2013-

0012], rudder, elevator or 

wing flap repair were 

accomplished, perform a 

rudder, elevator and wing 

flap hinge moment and 

weight check 

In accordance 

with Action 6 of 

TN A532-1