SAIB CE-02-35

1 SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN Aircraft Certification Service Washington, DC U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration No. CE-02-35 June 20, 2002 We post SAIBs on the internet at "av-info.faa.gov" This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory. This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) provides safety information to Stemme Model S10-VT sailplane owners on the following: Fire Protection – Preventive Actions for Enhanced Fire Protection Background The German Civil Airworthiness Authority, Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) issued Airworthiness Directive 2002-156 that requires: • Modification of the Fuel System • Inspection and Sealing of All Line Connections in the Engine Compartment • Sealing of the Firewall and Cockpit The FAA is currently conducting an assessment of foreign airworthiness directives that have been issued by the German Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) on the Model Stemme S10-VT sailplanes. We are currently assessing the need to issue a corresponding U.S. Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the Stemme S10-VT sailplanes. In the interim, we are using this SAIB to inform U.S. owners of the modifications Stemme GmbH & Company have developed. If an AD is determined to be appropriate, we will issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Safety Issue There was an occurrence of a Stemme S10-VT in-flight fire in July 2001. The exact cause that created the fire has been completely determined. Stemme has developed the additional fire protection measures as listed below. Stemme GmbH & Co. has developed Service Bulletins A31-10-057, dated June 7, 2001, and A31-10- 061, dated April 22, 2002, that address the specific design details of the modifications specified in the Background Section above. A copy of the Stemme Service Bulletins and Installation Instructions (A34-10-061E) are included for your information. Please note that the first two pages of Service Bulletin A31-10-057 and Installation Instructions A34-10-061E are in German language followed by the English language. Recommendation We highly recommend that you, an owner or operator of Stemme Model S110-VT sailplane, comply with the enclosed Service Bulletins.

2 For Technical Information Concerning These Safety Issues Contact Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355 Berlin, Germany; Telephone 49.3341.3111.70; Facsimile 49.3341.3111.73. Stemme USA, Inc., United States Dealer for Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, 1401 South Brentwood Blvd, Suite 760, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63144; Telephone (314) 721-5904; Facsimile (314) 726-5114. For Further Information Contact Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer/Pilot, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri, 64106; telephone (816) 329-4144; Facsimile (816) 329-4090.

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