SAIB CE-05-07 —

CE-05-07 October 22, 2004 www.faa.gov/certification/aircraft This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin alerts you, owners and operators of PZL-Bielsko SZD-50-3 Puchacz sailplanes, that the FAA has received “Airworthiness Alert & Request For Information 2004-1”, (attached) identifying a failure of the front control column. Currently, the cause of failure is unknown. Allstar Glider, now the type certificate holder of the SZD-50-3 sailplanes, is preparing a mandatory service bulletin to address this issue. A Polish committee is investigating the occurrence.

Background

The Gliding Federation of Australia (GFA) issued an airworthiness alert that addresses a failure of the control column on a Puchacz sailplane. This sailplane, while operating in Poland, experienced the failure after approximately 1,500 hours time-in-service. Allstar Glider will issue a mandatory service bulletin that will introduce suitable inspection requirements. The Polish Civil Aviation Office as well as Allstar Glider has stated that it does not deem it necessary to ground the Puchacz fleet. However, the Polish Civil Aviation Office does consider the advised actions identified in the airworthiness alert appropriate until Allstar Glider issues its bulletin.

Recommendation

We recommend that you review GFA’s Alert 2004-1 and immediately implement its instructions. Please inform the FAA at the contact point listed below of the inspection results, instead of notifying the GFA. An appropriately-rated and FAA-certified mechanic should perform the inspection called out in the alert. Other GFA information is available on its website at: http://www.gfa.org.au/main/.

For Further Information Contact

Gregory Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA Small Airplane Directorate, Room 301, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; phone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090; email: [email protected]