FAA proposes AD on Schempp-Hirth Discus 2 and Ventus 2

Proposed AD addresses an issue with the airbrakes on S-H Discus 2a, 2b, 2c, 2ctx and Ventus 2a, 2b.

Doesn't look unreasonable- an inspection and possible parts upgrade to address a possible problem with airbrake retraction. Comment period is still open.

https://www.federalregister.gov/arti...alregister.gov

Comment period ends 06/13/2016

I just checked my D-2 and she has 5mm overlap on her spoiler plates, minimum is 3mm. With zero overlap, air loads could force one plate under the other and thereby lock both spoilers in the full open position.........don't you just hate it when that happens?

The G-103 had something similar where wear in the spoiler stops allowed the spoiler plate to extend above the wing skin. Air loads could then shove the plate aft, leaving it on top of the wing and..............the spoilers could not be retracted! This came to light when an American Airlines Captain who was moonlighting as a ride pilot at Truckee, found himself facing the cliff with both spoilers stuck wide open! Kool-Hand-Luke, kept his speed up and did a "bird-purch" onto the cliff! He and his passenger both walked away!
JJ

On Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 1:39:22 PM UTC-4, wrote:
...air loads could force one plate under the other and thereby lock
both spoilers in the full open position..

The G-103 had something similar...

Also LS-6, and I think maybe a couple others...

LS-4 too I think.

Discus 2A "WX" N53LK SN:32

Left Wing Inboard: 4mm Outboard 9mm
Right Wing Inboard:6.5mm Outboard 8mm

I'm good! Minimum is 3mm

Walt Rogers WX

At 22:37 07 May 2016, WaltWX wrote:
Discus 2A "WX" N53LK SN:32

Left Wing Inboard: 4mm Outboard 9mm
Right Wing Inboard:6.5mm Outboard 8mm

I'm good! Minimum is 3mm

Walt Rogers WX

Discus-2b "RO" is good too... 5-8 mm overlap everywhere.
I saw where the EASA is proposing to make it an inspection
by owner thing, at least to check the overlap. If it were to be
out of tolerance, fixing it would be another matter.

Discus-2b "RO" is good too... 5-8 mm overlap everywhere.
I saw where the EASA is proposing to make it an inspection
by owner thing, at least to check the overlap. If it were to be
out of tolerance, fixing it would be another matter.


Not just proposing. See http://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2016-0027R1

EASA AD 2016-0027R1 superseded the original AD 2016-0027 after only 8 days.
R1 changed this from a LAME-inspection only to allow a Pilot-Owner
inspection to comply.

At 11:48 08 May 2016, Eric Munk wrote:
Discus-2b "RO" is good too... 5-8 mm overlap everywhere.
I saw where the EASA is proposing to make it an inspection
by owner thing, at least to check the overlap. If it were to be
out of tolerance, fixing it would be another matter.


Not just proposing. See http://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2016-0027R1

EASA AD 2016-0027R1 superseded the original AD 2016-0027 after
only 8 days
R1 changed this from a LAME-inspection only to allow a Pilot-Owne
inspection to comply.

Thanks,
Now we'll have to see if the FAA follows suit..
RO