AD 96-04-12 61 FR 6937

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH (Glaser-Dirks) DG-500M sailplanes. This action requires replacing the airbrake control hook-up shaft with a part of improved design. Reports of cracks in the welding of the lever to the torsion tube of the airbrake control prompted this action. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent an unintended extension of the airbrakes caused by failure of the lever to the torsion tube of the airbrake control, which could result in flutter, excessive rate of descent, and loss of control of the sailplane.