FAA Tells Glider Owners: Check Those Leaky Fuel Rings!
Published Date: 5/15/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you own a Stemme S 12 glider, heads up! The FAA wants you to regularly check your fuel system for leaks caused by certain copper rings and replace any faulty ones. This keeps your glider safe and stops risky fuel leaks, with comments on the plan due by June 29, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Require replacement of copper sealing rings
If your Stemme S 12 glider has an affected copper sealing ring (P/N D7603-12016-CU), you must replace it with sealing ring P/N 831984 at each affected location either before further flight if leakage is detected or within 100 hours time-in-service after the effective date of the AD. The FAA estimates replacement costs 2 work-hours at $85/hour plus $150 parts = $320 per glider (estimated total cost to U.S. operators: $9,920 for 31 gliders).
Mandatory preflight fuel-leak checks
If you own a Stemme S 12 glider that has the affected copper sealing ring (Group 1), you must perform a visual check of specified fuel-system locations before each flight after the AD becomes effective and log the check in the glider maintenance records. The FAA estimates a visual check costs 1 work-hour at $85 per glider (estimated to affect 31 U.S. gliders, total $2,635).
Ban on installing affected sealing rings
As of the effective date of the AD, you may not install the affected copper sealing ring (P/N D7603-12016-CU) on any Stemme S 12 glider. The prohibition is part of the AD's effort to prevent fuel leakage and possible in-flight fire.
Pilot-performable inspection and record requirement
The AD explicitly allows the owner/operator (pilot) who holds at least a private pilot certificate to perform the required visual fuel-leak checks and requires the pilot to enter compliance with the AD into the glider maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The NPRM notes this is an exception to the FAA's standard maintenance regulations.
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