Airworthiness Directives; Air Tractor, Inc. Model AT-602 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 217 (Thursday, November 9, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65719-65722]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-18688]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-20007; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-50-AD; 
Amendment 39-14798; AD 2006-23-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Air Tractor, Inc. Model AT-602 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Air 
Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Model AT-602 airplanes. This AD requires 
you to repetitively inspect (using the eddy current method) the wing 
center splice joint two outboard fastener holes on both of the wing 
main spar lower caps for fatigue cracking; repair or replace any wing 
main spar lower cap where fatigue cracking is found; and report any 
fatigue cracking found. This AD results from fatigue cracking at the 
wing center splice joint outboard fastener hole in one of the wing main 
spar lower caps. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in 
the wing main spar lower cap, which could result in failure of the spar 
cap and lead to wing separation and loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on December 14, 2006.
    As of December 14, 2006, the Director of the Federal Register 
approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed 
in the regulation.

ADDRESSES: To get the service information identified in this AD, 
contact Air Tractor, Inc. at P.O. Box 485, Olney, Texas 76374; 
telephone: (940) 564-5616; or fax: (940) 564-5612.
    To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-0001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2004-20007; Directorate 
Identifier 2004-CE-50-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer, 
ASW-150 (c/o MIDO-43), 10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio, 
Texas 78216; telephone: (210) 308-3365; fax: (210) 308-3370.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On August 3, 2006, we issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that 
would apply to all Air Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Model AT-602 
airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a 
supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on August 9, 2006 (71 
FR 45467). The supplemental NPRM proposed to require you to 
repetitively inspect (using the eddy current method) the wing center 
splice joint two outboard fastener holes on both of the wing main spar 
lower caps for fatigue cracking; repair or replace any wing main spar 
lower cap where fatigue cracking is found; and report any fatigue 
cracking found.
    The following table contains AD actions that address the wing spar 
safe life of the Air Tractor airplane fleet:

                                               Related Ad Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Affected air tractor
                AD No.                     model airplanes                           Status
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000-14-51...........................  AT-501, AT-502, and AT-  Superseded by AD 2001-10-04.
                                        502A.
2001-10-04...........................  AT-400, AT-500, and AT-  Revised by AD 2001-10-04 R1.
                                        800 Series.
2001-10-04 R1........................  AT-400, AT-500, and AT-  Superseded by AD 2002-11-05.
                                        800 Series.
2002-11-05...........................  AT-400, AT-401, AT-      Revised by AD 2002-11-05 R1.
                                        401B, AT-402, AT-402A,
                                        AT-402B, AT-501, AT-
                                        802, and AT-802A.
2002-13-02...........................  AT-300, AT-301, AT-302,  Superseded by AD 2003-06-01.
                                        AT-400, and AT-400A
                                        Airplanes.
2002-11-03...........................  AT-502, AT-502A, AT-     Superseded by AD 2002-26-05.
                                        502B, and AT-503A.
2002-26-05...........................  AT-502, AT-502A, AT-     Current.
                                        502B, and AT-503A.
2003-06-01...........................  AT-300, AT-301, AT-302,  Current.
                                        AT-400, and AT-400A.
2002-11-05 R1........................  AT-501.................  Current.
2006-08-08...........................  AT-400, AT-401, AT-      Current.
                                        401B, AT-402, AT-402A,
                                        and AT-402B.
2006-08-09...........................  AT-802 and AT-802A.....  Current.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    You may view these ADs at the following Internet Web site 
addresses: http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAD.nsf/MainFrame?OpenFrameSet or http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
and FAA's response to each comment:

Comment Issue No. 1: Publish the Manufacturer Service Information

    Jack Buster with the Modification and Replacement Parts Association 
(MARPA) provides comments on how the FAA addresses publishing

[[Page 65720]]

manufacturer service information as part of a proposed AD action. The 
commenter states that the proposed rule attempts to require compliance 
with a public law by reference to a private writing (as referenced in 
paragraph (e) of the proposed AD). The commenter would like the FAA to 
incorporate by reference (IBR) the Snow Engineering Company service 
information.
    We agree with Mr. Buster. However, we do not IBR any document in a 
proposed AD action, instead we IBR the document in the final rule. 
Since we are issuing the proposal as a final rule AD action, the 
service information referenced in the NPRM is incorporated by 
reference.

Comment Issue No. 2: Availability of IBR Documents in the Docket 
Management System (DMS)

    Mr. Buster requests IBR documents be made available to the public 
by publication in the Federal Register or in the Docket Management 
System (DMS).
    We are currently reviewing issues surrounding the posting of 
service bulletins in the Department of Transportation's DMS as part of 
the AD docket. Once we have thoroughly examined all aspects of this 
issue and have made a final determination, we will consider whether our 
current practice needs to be revised.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed 
except for minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these 
minor corrections:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 107 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to do the inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Eddy current   Total cost per   Total cost on
                   Labor cost                       Parts cost      inspection       airplane     U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial inspection and installation of access               $645           *$500          $3,065        $327,955
 panels--24 work-hours x $80 = $1,920...........
Repetitive Inspection (each)....................              60            *800             860         92,020
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Eddy current inspections are an estimated flat cost that includes labor and use of equipment.

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs that 
would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. We 
have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need this 
repair:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
               Labor cost                   Parts cost       airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Install web plate, 8-bolt splice blocks,          $6,900         $18,980
 and cold work fastener holes: Air
 Tractor estimated a labor cost of
 $12,100. When broken down into work-
 hours, we estimated 151 work-hours to
 complete the task. 151 work-hours x $80
 = $12,080..............................
Cold work fastener holes following Snow            1,350           2,870
 Engineering Co. Service Letter <greek-
 i>244, dated April 25, 2005: 19 work-
 hours x $80 = $1,520...................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this AD.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a 
substantial direct effect 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD (and 
other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) and placed 
it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by sending a 
request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket 
No. FAA-2004-20007; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-50-AD'' in your 
request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under 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

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

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

[[Page 65721]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2006-23-01 Air Tractor, Inc.: Amendment 39-14798; Docket No. FAA-
2004-20007; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-50-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective on December 14, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD affects Model AT-602 airplanes, all serial numbers 
beginning with 602-0337, that are certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD is the result of fatigue cracking of the wing main 
spar lower cap at the centerline splice joint outboard fastener 
hole. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and 
correct cracks in the wing main spar lower cap, which could result 
in failure of the spar cap and lead to wing separation and loss of 
control of the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) To address the problem, do the following:
    (1) Before doing the initial eddy current inspection required in 
paragraph (e)(2) of this AD, gain access for the inspection by 
cutting inspection holes, modifying the vent tube, and installing 
cover plates; unless already done. Follow Snow Engineering Co. 
Service Letter <greek-i>204, revised March 26, 2001, Drawing titled 
``602 Spar Inspection Holes and Vent Tube Mod.,'' dated November 13, 
2003.
    (2) Eddy current inspect the wing center splice joint outboard 
two fastener holes in both the right and left wing main spar lower 
caps for cracks. Follow Snow Engineering Co. Process Specification 
<greek-i>197, Revised June 4, 2002. For the following airplanes, use 
the wing spar lower cap hours time-in-service (TIS) schedule below 
in Table 1 of this AD to do the initial and repetitive inspections:

                                    Table 1.--Compliance Times for Inspection
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Repetitively inspect
            Serial Nos.                     Condition           Initially inspect    thereafter at the following
                                                                                              intervals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) 602-0337 through 602-0584......  As manufactured.......  Upon accumulating       1,000 hours TIS.
                                                              2,000 hours TIS or
                                                              within 50 hours TIS
                                                              after December 14,
                                                              2006 (the effective
                                                              date of this AD),
                                                              whichever occurs
                                                              later, unless already
                                                              done.
(ii) 602-0337 through 602-0584.....  Modified with cold-     If performing the cold- 2,000 hours TIS.
                                      worked fastener holes   working procedure in
                                      following Snow          Service Letter <greek-
                                      Engineering Co.         i>244, it includes
                                      Service Letter <greek-  the eddy current
                                      i>244, dated April      inspection.
                                      25, 2005.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Do an eddy current inspection as part of the cold working 
procedure in Service Letter <greek-i>244, dated April 25, 2005, even 
if the wing spar was previously inspected.
    (4) One of the following must do the inspection:
    (i) A level 2 or 3 inspector certified in eddy current 
inspection using the guidelines established by the American Society 
for Nondestructive Testing or NAS 410; or
    (ii) A person authorized to perform AD maintenance work and who 
has completed and passed the Air Tractor, Inc. training course on 
Eddy Current Inspection on wing lower spar caps.
    (f) For the airplanes listed in paragraph (e)(2) of this AD, as 
terminating action for the inspection requirements, you may modify 
your wing by installing part number (P/N) 20996-2 steel web plate 
and P/N 20985-1/2 8-bolt splice blocks following Snow Engineering 
Co. Drawing 20998, Revision B, dated September 28, 2004, and cold 
work the lower spar cap two outboard fastener holes at the wing 
center section splice connection following Snow Engineering Co. 
Service Letter <greek-i>240, dated September 30, 2004.
    (g) For all affected airplanes listed in paragraph (e)(2) of 
this AD, repair or replace any cracked spar cap before further 
flight. For repair or replacement, do one of the following:
    (1) For cracks that can be removed by performing the terminating 
action listed in paragraph (f) of this AD above, perform the actions 
in paragraph (f) of this AD.
    (2) For cracks that can not be removed by performing the 
terminating action in paragraph (f) of this AD, you must replace the 
lower spar caps and associated parts listed in paragraph (h) of this 
AD before continued flight.
    (h) For all Model AT-602 airplanes, upon accumulating 6,500 
hours TIS on the wing spar lower caps or within the next 50 hours 
TIS after December 14, 2006 (the effective date of this AD), 
whichever occurs later, replace the wing lower spar caps, splice 
blocks and hardware, wing attach angles and hardware, and install 
the steel web plate, P/N 20996-2, if not already installed, 
following Snow Engineering Co. Drawing 20776, Sheet 2, Revision A, 
dated August 30, 2004. Compliance with this paragraph terminates the 
inspection requirements of paragraph (e)(2) of this AD.
    (i) Report any cracks you find within 10 days after the cracks 
are found or within 10 days after December 14, 2006 (the effective 
date of this AD), whichever occurs later. Include in your report the 
airplane serial number, airplane TIS, wing spar cap TIS, crack 
location and size, corrective action taken, and a point of contact 
name and phone number. Send your report to Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace 
Engineer, ASW-150 (c/o MIDO-43), 10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, San 
Antonio, Texas 78216; telephone: (210) 308-3365; facsimile: (210) 
308-3370. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the 
information collection requirements contained in this regulation 
under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 and those following sections) and assigned OMB Control 
Number 2120-0056.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j) The Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, FAA, 
ATTN: Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer, ASW-150 (c/o MIDO-43), 
10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio, Texas 78216; telephone: 
(210) 308-3365; facsimile: (210) 308-3370, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (k) None.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use the service information specified in Table 2 of 
this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Air 
Tractor, Inc. at address P.O. Box 485, Olney, Texas 76374; 
telephone: (940) 564-5616; or facsimile: (940) 564-5612.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at 
the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

[[Page 65722]]



              Table 2.--Material Incorporated by Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Snow Engineering Co. service  information              Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Process Specification <greek-i>197........  Revised June 4, 2002.
Drawing 20776, Sheet 2, Revision A........  August 30, 2004.
Service Letter <greek-i>204...............  Revised March 26, 2001.
Service Letter <greek-i>240...............  September 30, 2004.
Drawing 20998, Revision B.................  September 28, 2004.
Service Letter <greek-i>244...............  April 25, 2005.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 26, 2006.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-18688 Filed 11-8-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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