Airworthiness Directives; Air Tractor, Inc. AT-300, AT-400, and AT-500 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 232 (Thursday, December 3, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66743-66744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32046]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-62-AD; Amendment 39-10922; AD 98-25-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Air Tractor, Inc. AT-300, AT-400, and 
AT-500 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 96-23-
19, which currently requires installing a new flap actuator overtravel 
stop and a roll pin through the overtravel stop and jack screw on 
certain Air Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Models AT-300, AT-400, and AT-
500 series airplanes. This AD requires replacing the existing flap 
actuator overtravel stop with a new one of improved design. This AD is 
the result of reports of the jack screw breaking through the roll pin 
hole on three of the affected airplanes that were already in compliance 
with AD 96-23-19. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent interference between the flap pushrod and the aileron pushrod 
caused by the flap actuator overtravel nut disengaging, which could 
result in loss of aileron control.

DATES: Effective January 19, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 19, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Air Tractor, Inc., P. O. Box 485, Olney, Texas 76374. This 
information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 98-CE-62-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bob May, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Aircraft Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0150; telephone: (817) 222-5156; facsimile: (817) 222-5960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Air Tractor 
AT-300, AT-400, and AT-500 series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on July 21, 1998 (63 FR 39053). The NPRM proposed to 
supersede AD 96-23-19, Amendment 39-9823 (61 FR 58985, November 11, 
1996), which currently requires installing a new flap actuator 
overtravel stop and a roll pin through the overtravel stop and jack 
screw on the affected airplanes.
    The proposed AD would require replacing the existing flap actuator 
overtravel stop with a new one of improved design, part number (P/N) 
70975-1. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM 
would be in accordance with Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #165, 
dated May 15, 1998.
    The NPRM was the result of reports of the jack screw breaking 
through the roll pin hole on three of the affected airplanes that were 
already in compliance with AD 96-23-19.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

The FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 1,250 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the replacement, and that the average labor rate 
is approximately $60 an hour. The manufacturer will supply parts at no 
cost to the owners/operators of the affected airplanes. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $150,000, or $120 per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a 
significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial 
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this 
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy

[[Page 66744]]

of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location 
provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing airworthiness directive 
(AD) 96-23-19, Amendment 39-9823 (61 FR 58985, November 11, 1996), and 
by adding a new AD to read as follows:

98-25-01  Air Tractor, Inc.: Amendment 39-10922; Docket No. 98-CE-
62-AD; Supersedes AD 96-23-19, Amendment 39-9823.

    Applicability: The following model and serial numbered 
airplanes, certificated in any category, that do not have a part 
number (P/N) 70975-1 flap actuator overtravel stop installed in 
accordance with the REWORK INSTRUCTIONS section of Snow Engineering 
Co. Service Letter #165, dated May 15, 1998:
    Models AT-300, AT-301, AT-302, AT-400, AT-400A, AT-401, AT-401A, 
AT-401B, AT-402, AT-402A, and AT-402B airplanes, serial numbers 300-
0001 through 401B-1063; and
    Models AT-501, AT-502, AT-502A, AT-502B, and AT-503A airplanes, 
serial numbers 502-0001 through 502B-0500.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required within the next 50 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent interference between the flap pushrod and the aileron 
pushrod caused by the flap actuator overtravel nut disengaging, 
which could result in loss of aileron control, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Replace the existing flap actuator overtravel stop with a 
new one of improved design, P/N 70975-1. Accomplish this replacement 
in accordance with the REWORK INSTRUCTIONS section of Snow 
Engineering Co. Service Letter #165, dated May 15, 1998.
    (b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office 
(ACO), 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150.
    (1) The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Fort Worth ACO.
    (2) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance 
with AD 96-23-19 are not considered approved as alternative methods 
of compliance for this AD.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Fort Worth ACO.

    (d) The replacement required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #165, dated May 
15, 1998. This incorporation by reference was approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Air Tractor Inc., 
P.O. Box 485, Olney, Texas 76374. Copies may be inspected at the 
FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 
E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, 
Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment supersedes AD 96-23-19, Amendment 39-9823.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on January 19, 1999.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 24, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-32046 Filed 12-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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