FAA Warns Glider Owners About Leaky Fuel Pumps
Published Date: 7/24/2026
Rule
Summary
If you own a Stemme TSA-M Model S6-RT or S 12 glider, listen up! The FAA found some fuel pumps that might leak and wants you to check yours ASAP. If your pump has the wrong parts, you’ll need to swap them out with approved ones by July 24, 2026, to keep flying safe and sound—no surprise costs mentioned, just peace of mind.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory pump inspection by model
If you own or operate a Stemme TSA-M Model S6-RT or Stemme S 12 glider, you must inspect the two electrical fuel transfer pumps as required by this AD. For Group 1 gliders (S 12 S/Ns 12-057 through 12-062 and TSA-M S6-RT S/Ns 019, 029, and 030) the inspection must be done before further flight after the effective date of July 24, 2026. Group 2 gliders do not require the inspection only if no electrical fuel pump has been replaced on that glider after January 1, 2023.
Replace and ban wrong pump parts
If the inspection finds non-conforming electrical fuel pump parts (identified in the AD and Stemme Service Bulletin as pumps marked “HEP-02A” instead of “HEP-02” under part number 830521), you must replace the pump(s) with approved conforming parts before further flight. As of the effective date, July 24, 2026, installing any non-conforming part on these gliders is prohibited, and replacements must follow approved instructions from the FAA, EASA, or Stemme's EASA Design Organization Approval.
FAA cost estimate and scope
The FAA estimates this AD affects 33 gliders on the U.S. registry. The FAA estimates inspection labor at 3 work-hours x $85/hour = $255 per glider, for a total estimated inspection cost to U.S. operators of $8,415. The FAA states it has no way of determining how many gliders will need replacements if non-conforming parts are found.
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