Airworthiness Directives; Air Tractor, Inc. Model AT-602 Airplanes, 25957-25960 [E7-8671]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 88 / Tuesday, May 8, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
indirectly a savings and loan holding
company, or who otherwise participated
directly or indirectly in the conduct of
the affairs of a savings and loan holding
company on October 13, 2006, may
continue to hold the position with the
savings and loan holding company.
(2) This exemption expires on
September 5, 2007, unless the savings
and loan holding company or the person
files an application seeking a case-bycase exemption for the person under
§ 585.110 by that date. If the savings and
loan holding company or the person
files such an application, the temporary
exemption expires on:
(i) The date of issuance of an OTS
order approving the application under
§ 585.130(a);
(ii) The expiration of the 20-day
period for filing a request for hearing
under § 585.130(b) provided there is no
timely request for hearing following the
issuance of an OTS order denying the
application under that section;
(iii) The date that OTS denies a timely
request for hearing under § 585.140(a)
following the issuance of an OTS order
denying the application under
§ 585.130(b);
(iv) The date that the Director issues
a decision under § 585.140(d); or
(v) The date an applicant withdraws
the application.
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with RULES
§ 585.110 How do I apply for a case-bycase exemption?
(a) Who may file. (1) A savings and
loan holding company or a person who
was convicted of a criminal offense
described in § 585.40 or who has agreed
to enter into a pre-trial diversion or
similar program in connection with a
prosecution for such a criminal offense
(‘‘you’’) may file an application seeking
an OTS order granting an exemption
from the prohibitions in this part.
(2) You may seek an exemption only
for a designated position (or positions)
with respect to a named savings and
loan holding company.
(3) You may not file an application
less than one year after the latter of the
date of OTS’s denial of the same
exemption under § 585.130(b),
§ 585.140(a)(2) or § 585.140(d).
(b) Application and review
procedures. You may seek OTS
approval by filing your application with
OTS under the standard treatment
described in 12 CFR part 516, subpart A
of this chapter. OTS will review your
application under 12 CFR part 516,
subpart E of this chapter (excluding 12
CFR 516.270 and 516.280).
(c) Prohibition pending OTS action.
Unless you are exempt under
§ 585.100(b), the prohibitions in
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14:51 May 07, 2007
Jkt 211001
§ 585.30 continue to apply pending OTS
action on your application.
§ 585.120 What factors will OTS consider
in reviewing my application?
(a) OTS review. (1) In determining
whether to approve an exemption
application filed under § 585.110, OTS
will consider the extent to which the
position that is the subject of your
application enables a person to:
(i) Participate in the major
policymaking functions of the savings
and loan holding company; or
(ii) Threaten the safety and soundness
of any insured depository institution
that is controlled by the savings and
loan holding company, the interests of
its depositors, or the public confidence
in the insured depository institution.
(2) OTS will also consider whether
you have demonstrated the person’s
fitness to hold the described position.
Some positions may be approved
without an extensive review of a
person’s fitness because the position
does not enable a person to take the
actions described in paragraph (a)(1) of
this section.
(b) Factors. In making the
determinations under paragraph (a) of
this section, OTS will consider the
following factors:
(1) The position;
(2) The amount of influence and
control a person holding the position
will be able to exercise over the affairs
and operations of the savings and loan
holding company and the insured
depository institution;
(3) The ability of the management of
the savings and loan holding company
to supervise and control the activities of
a person holding the position;
(4) The level of ownership that the
person will have at the savings and loan
holding company;
(5) The specific nature and
circumstances of the criminal offense.
The question whether a person who was
convicted of a crime or who agreed to
enter into a pretrial diversion or similar
program for a crime was guilty of that
crime is not relevant;
(6) Evidence of rehabilitation; and
(7) Any other relevant factor.
§ 585.130 How will I know if my application
is approved?
(a) Approval. If OTS approves your
application, OTS will issue an approval
order. An approval order will include a
summary of the relevant factors that
OTS considered under § 585.120, will
require fidelity bond coverage for the
position to the same extent as similar
positions with the SLHC. The approval
order may include such other
conditions as may be appropriate.
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25957
(b) Denial. If OTS denies your
application, OTS will issue a denial
order. The denial order will include the
following written information:
(1) A summary of the relevant factors
that OTS considered under § 585.120;
and
(2) A statement indicating that you
may file a written request demonstrating
good cause for a hearing on the denial
of your application, and that you must
file this request with OTS within 20
days of the date of issuance of the order.
§ 585.140 What procedures govern a
hearing on my application?
(a) OTS review of hearing request.
OTS will review your hearing request to
determine if you have demonstrated
good cause for a hearing on your
application. Within 30 days after the
filing of a timely request for a hearing,
OTS will notify you in writing of its
decision to grant or deny the hearing
request. If OTS grants your request for
a hearing, it will order a hearing to be
commenced within 60 days of the
issuance of the notification. Upon the
request of a party, the OTS may order
a later hearing date.
(b) Hearing procedures. Hearing
procedures are set out at 12 CFR part
509, subpart D of this chapter.
Dated: April 30, 2007.
By the Office of Thrift Supervision.
John M. Reich,
Director.
[FR Doc. E7–8677 Filed 5–7–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6720–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2006–26775; Directorate
Identifier 2007–CE–01–AD; Amendment 39–
15042; AD 2007–10–01]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Air Tractor,
Inc. Model AT–602 Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Air Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Model
AT–602 airplanes. This AD requires you
to install access holes to do repetitive
detailed visual inspections for cracks in
the horizontal stabilizer brace tube
assembly, and if any cracks are found as
a result of a visual inspection, to replace
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08MYR1
25958
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 88 / Tuesday, May 8, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
the horizontal stabilizer brace tube
assembly with a new design horizontal
stabilizer brace tube assembly. The
installation of the new design horizontal
stabilizer brace tube assembly is
terminating action for the repetitive
inspection requirement. This AD results
from two reports of Model AT–602
airplanes with cracked horizontal
stabilizer brace tube assemblies. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct
cracks in the horizontal stabilizer brace
tube assembly, which could result in
failure of the horizontal stabilizer. This
failure could affect the ability to control
pitch with consequent loss of control.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on
June 12, 2007.
On June 12, 2007 the Director of the
Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of certain
publications listed in this AD.
ADDRESSES: For service information
identified in this AD, contact Air
Tractor Inc., P.O. Box 485, Olney, Texas
76374; telephone: (940) 564–5616; 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–
001 or on the Internet at https://
dms.dot.gov. The docket number is
FAA–2006–26775; Directorate Identifier
2007–CE–01–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:
stabilizer brace tube assembly is
terminating action for the repetitive
inspection requirement.
Discussion
On January 31, 2007, 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
certain Air Tractor Model AT–602
airplanes. This proposal was published
in the Federal Register as a notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on
February 6, 2007 (72 FR 5359). The
NPRM proposed to require you to install
access holes to do repetitive detailed
visual inspections for cracks in the
horizontal stabilizer brace tube
assembly, and if any cracks are found as
a result of a visual inspection, to replace
the horizontal stabilizer brace tube
assembly with a new design horizontal
stabilizer brace tube assembly. The
installation of the new design horizontal
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:
• Are consistent with the intent that
was proposed in the NPRM for
correcting the unsafe condition; and
• Do not add any additional burden
upon the public than was already
proposed in the NPRM.
Comments
We provided the public the
opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on
the proposal or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
Conclusion
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 128
airplanes in the U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to do
the installation of access holes to do
visual inspections:
Labor cost
Parts cost
Total cost per
airplane
Total cost on
U.S. operators
1 work-hour × $80 per hour = $80 ..............................................................................................
$5
$85
$10,880
Labor cost
Parts cost
Total cost per
airplane
Total cost on
U.S. operators
for initial
inspection
1 work-hour × $80 per hour = $80 ..............................................................................................
Not Applicable
$80
$10,240
We estimate the following costs to do
each visual inspection for cracks of the
We estimate the following costs to do
any necessary replacement of the
horizontal stabilizer brace tube
assembly with a new design horizontal
horizontal stabilizer brace tube
assembly:
stabilizer brace tube assembly that will
be required based on the results of the
inspection or as the terminating action
for the repetitive inspection
requirement. We have no way of
determining the number of airplanes
that will need this replacement:
Labor cost
Parts cost
Total cost per
airplane
35 work-hours × $80 per hour = $2,800 .................................................................................................................
$896
$3,696
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with RULES
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
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14:51 May 07, 2007
Jkt 211001
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
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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.
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 88 / Tuesday, May 8, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
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–2006–26775;
Directorate Identifier 2007–CE–01–AD’’
in your request.
Effective Date
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
25959
Affected ADs
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
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:
I
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model AT–602
airplanes, all serial numbers through 602–
0695 that:
(1) Have horizontal stabilizer brace tube
assembly, part number (P/N) 30012–7,
installed; and
(2) Are certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
I
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
(a) This AD becomes effective on June 12,
2007.
[Amended]
2. FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the
following new AD:
I
2007–10–01 Air Tractor Inc.: Amendment
39–15042; Docket No. FAA–2006–26775;
Directorate Identifier 2007–CE–01–AD.
(d) This AD results from two reports of
Model AT–602 airplanes with cracked
horizontal stabilizer brace tube assemblies.
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct
cracks in the horizontal stabilizer brace tube
assembly, which could result in failure of the
horizontal stabilizer. This failure could affect
the ability to control pitch with consequent
loss of control.
Compliance
(e) To address this problem, you must do
the following, unless already done:
Actions
Compliance
Procedures
(1) Do the following:
(i) Install access holes for visual inspection
of the P/N 30012–7, horizontal stabilizer
brace tube assembly.
(ii) Conduct a detailed visual inspection for
cracks in the P/N 30012–7 horizontal
stabilizer brace tube assembly.
Install the access holes and do the initial inspection upon accumulating 2,000 hours
time-in-service (TIS) or within the next 60
days after June 12, 2007 (the effective date
of this AD), whichever occurs later. Repetitively inspect thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 100 hours TIS. Replacement of the
P/N 30012–7 horizontal stabilizer brace
tube assembly with a new design P/N
30766–1 horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly following paragraph (e)(2) of this AD
is terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirement of this AD.
Before further flight after any inspection required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD where
cracks are found. The installation of a new
design P/N 30766–1 horizontal stabilizer
brace tube assembly is terminating action
for the repetitive inspection requirement of
this AD.
As of June 12, 2007 (the effective date of this
AD).
Follow Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter
#235, dated August 25, 2004, revised October 24, 2006.
Related Information
Material Incorporated by Reference
(h) You must use Snow Engineering Co.
Service Letter #129A, dated August 7, 2004,
revised November 15, 2005; Snow
Engineering Co. Service Letter #235, dated
August 25, 2004, revised October 24, 2006;
and Snow Engineering Co. Drill Template—
602, Drawing Number SL129–602, dated
August 2, 2004, 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., P.O. Box
(2) Replace the P/N 30012–7 horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly with a new design P/N 30766–1 horizontal stabilizer brace
tube assembly.
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with RULES
(3) Do not install any P/N 30012–7 horizontal
stabilizer brace tube assembly.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(f) The Manager, Fort Worth Airplane
Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Send information to ATTN: 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. Before
using any approved AMOC on any airplane
to which the AMOC applies, notify your
appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the
FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO),
or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
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14:51 May 07, 2007
Jkt 211001
(g) To get copies of the service information
referenced in this AD, contact Air Tractor
Inc., P.O. Box 485, Olney, Texas 76374;
telephone: (940) 564–5616; 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, or on the Internet at https://
dms.dot.gov. The docket number is Docket
No. FAA–2006–26775; Directorate Identifier
2007–CE–01–AD.
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Follow Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter
#129A, dated August 7, 2004, revised November 15, 2005; Snow Engineering Co.
Service Letter #235, dated August 25, 2004,
revised October 24, 2006; and Snow Engineering Co. Drill Template—602, Drawing
Number SL129–602, dated August 2, 2004.
Not Applicable.
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 88 / Tuesday, May 8, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
485, Olney, Texas 76374; telephone: (940)
564–5616; fax: (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: https://www.archives.gov/federal_register/
code_of_federal_regulations/
ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April
27, 2007.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7–8671 Filed 5–7–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2007–28100; Directorate
Identifier 2007–NM–103–AD; Amendment
39–15045; AD 2007–10–04]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell
Douglas Model DC–9–81 (MD–81), DC–
9–82 (MD–82), DC–9–83 (MD–83), DC–
9–87 (MD–87), and MD–88 Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for
comments.
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with RULES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for all
McDonnell Douglas Model DC–9–81
(MD–81), DC–9–82 (MD–82), DC–9–83
(MD–83), DC–9–87 (MD–87), and MD–
88 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive
inspections to detect cracks in the
horizontal stabilizer, and related
investigative/corrective actions if
necessary. This AD results from reports
of cracks found in the horizontal
stabilizer—in the upper and lower aft
skin panels at the aft inboard corner at
station XH = 8.2, and in the rear spar
upper caps adjacent to the aft skin panel
at station XH = 10.0. We are issuing this
AD to detect and correct cracks in the
upper and lower aft skin panels and rear
spar upper caps, which, if not corrected,
could lead to the loss of overall
structural integrity of the horizontal
stabilizer.
DATES: This AD becomes effective May
23, 2007.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain publication listed in the AD
as of May 23, 2007.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
14:51 May 07, 2007
Jkt 211001
We must receive comments on this
AD by July 9, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following
addresses to submit comments on this
AD.
• DOT Docket Web site: Go to https://
dms.dot.gov and follow the instructions
for sending your comments
electronically.
• Government-wide rulemaking Web
site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending
your comments electronically.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility;
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building,
Room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building,
400 Seventh Street SW., Washington,
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach,
California 90846, Attention: Data and
Service Management, Dept. C1–L5A
(D800–0024), for service information
identified in this AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Roger Durbin, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM–120L, FAA, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office,
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood,
California 90712–4137; telephone (562)
627–5233; fax (562) 627–5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We have received reports of cracks
found in the horizontal stabilizer—in
the upper and lower aft skin panels at
the aft inboard corner at station XH =
8.2, and in the rear spar upper caps
adjacent to the aft skin panel at station
XH = 10.0. These cracks were found
during maintenance visual inspections.
The cause of the cracking is still
under investigation. If not corrected, the
cracked upper and lower aft skin panels
and rear spar upper caps could lead to
the loss of overall structural integrity of
the horizontal stabilizer.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin MD80–55A065, dated
April 25, 2007. The service bulletin
describes procedures for repetitive lowand high-frequency eddy current
inspections to detect cracks of the
horizontal stabilizer’s upper and lower
aft skin panels and rear spar upper caps.
The service bulletin provides options
for corrective action based on crack
length, location, and repairability; these
options include some combination of
the following actions:
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• Stop drilling the end of the crack;
• Trimming the crack and installing a
filler;
• Installing a skin panel splice or rear
spar upper cap splice;
• Replacing the skin panel or rear
spar upper cap with a new part; and
• Repeating the inspection of the
cracked area (including aft skin panels,
skin panel splice, and rear spar upper
cap).
The repetitive inspection intervals,
which range from 200 to 2,600 flight
cycles, depend on the option used.
Accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information is intended to
adequately address the unsafe
condition.
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of This AD
The unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop
on other airplanes of the same type
design. For this reason, we are issuing
this AD to detect and correct cracks in
the upper and lower aft skin panels and
rear spar upper caps, which, if not
corrected, could lead to the loss of
overall structural integrity of the
horizontal stabilizer. This AD requires
accomplishing the actions specified in
the service information described
previously, except as discussed under
‘‘Differences Between the AD and the
Service Bulletin’’ below.
Differences Between the AD and the
Service Bulletin
The service bulletin specifies that any
splice installed as part of a crack repair
option be inspected within 20,000 flight
cycles after the repair. But the service
bulletin notes that the type, method,
and repetitive interval for this
inspection will be identified by Boeing
at a later date. (See paragraph 1.E., note
(a) of Tables 1 and 2 of the service
bulletin.) To ensure continued safety,
we have determined that this inspection
and its repetitive interval must be
adequately defined. Therefore, this AD
requires that the inspection type,
method, and repetitive interval be
approved either by the FAA, or in
accordance with data that meet the
certification basis of the airplane and
that have been approved by an
Authorized Representative for the
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Delegation Option Authorization
Organization whom we have authorized
to make those findings.
For a crack that meets the Condition
2 criteria specified in Table 1 or Table
3 in paragraph 1.E. of the service
bulletin, Options 1 and 2 specify
temporary repairs followed by repetitive
inspections of the area, but provide no
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08MYR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 88 (Tuesday, May 8, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25957-25960]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-8671]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-26775; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-01-AD;
Amendment 39-15042; AD 2007-10-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Air Tractor, Inc. Model AT-602
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Air Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Model AT-602 airplanes. This AD
requires you to install access holes to do repetitive detailed visual
inspections for cracks in the horizontal stabilizer brace tube
assembly, and if any cracks are found as a result of a visual
inspection, to replace
[[Page 25958]]
the horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly with a new design
horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly. The installation of the new
design horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly is terminating action
for the repetitive inspection requirement. This AD results from two
reports of Model AT-602 airplanes with cracked horizontal stabilizer
brace tube assemblies. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct
cracks in the horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly, which could
result in failure of the horizontal stabilizer. This failure could
affect the ability to control pitch with consequent loss of control.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on June 12, 2007.
On June 12, 2007 the Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Air
Tractor Inc., P.O. Box 485, Olney, Texas 76374; telephone: (940) 564-
5616; 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 20590-001 or on the Internet at https://
dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2006-26775; Directorate
Identifier 2007-CE-01-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 January 31, 2007, 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 certain Air Tractor Model AT-602 airplanes. This
proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) on February 6, 2007 (72 FR 5359). The NPRM proposed
to require you to install access holes to do repetitive detailed visual
inspections for cracks in the horizontal stabilizer brace tube
assembly, and if any cracks are found as a result of a visual
inspection, to replace the horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly
with a new design horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly. The
installation of the new design horizontal stabilizer brace tube
assembly is terminating action for the repetitive inspection
requirement.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on the
determination of the cost to the public.
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:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
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 128 airplanes in the U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to do the installation of access
holes to do visual inspections:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost per Total cost on
Labor cost Parts cost airplane U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $80 per hour = $80............................. $5 $85 $10,880
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We estimate the following costs to do each visual inspection for
cracks of the horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost on
Total cost per U.S. operators
Labor cost Parts cost airplane for initial
inspection
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $80 per hour = $80............................. Not Applicable $80 $10,240
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacement of
the horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly with a new design
horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly that will be required based
on the results of the inspection or as the terminating action for the
repetitive inspection requirement. We have no way of determining the
number of airplanes that will need this replacement:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
35 work-hours x $80 per hour = $2,800. $896 $3,696
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
[[Page 25959]]
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-2006-26775; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-01-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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
2007-10-01 Air Tractor Inc.: Amendment 39-15042; Docket No. FAA-
2006-26775; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-01-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective on June 12, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model AT-602 airplanes, all serial
numbers through 602-0695 that:
(1) Have horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly, part number
(P/N) 30012-7, installed; and
(2) Are certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from two reports of Model AT-602 airplanes
with cracked horizontal stabilizer brace tube assemblies. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the horizontal
stabilizer brace tube assembly, which could result in failure of the
horizontal stabilizer. This failure could affect the ability to
control pitch with consequent loss of control.
Compliance
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless
already done:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actions Compliance Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Do the following: Install the access Follow Snow
(i) Install access holes for holes and do the Engineering Co.
visual inspection of the P/N initial Service Letter
30012-7, horizontal stabilizer inspection upon 235,
brace tube assembly. accumulating dated August 25,
(ii) Conduct a detailed visual 2,000 hours time- 2004, revised
inspection for cracks in the P/ in-service (TIS) October 24, 2006.
N 30012-7 horizontal stabilizer or within the
brace tube assembly. next 60 days
after June 12,
2007 (the
effective date of
this AD),
whichever occurs
later.
Repetitively
inspect
thereafter at
intervals not to
exceed 100 hours
TIS. Replacement
of the P/N 30012-
7 horizontal
stabilizer brace
tube assembly
with a new design
P/N 30766-1
horizontal
stabilizer brace
tube assembly
following
paragraph (e)(2)
of this AD is
terminating
action for the
repetitive
inspection
requirement of
this AD.
(2) Replace the P/N 30012-7 Before further Follow Snow
horizontal stabilizer brace flight after any Engineering Co.
tube assembly with a new design inspection Service Letter
P/N 30766-1 horizontal required by 129A,
stabilizer brace tube assembly. paragraph (e)(1) dated August 7,
of this AD where 2004, revised
cracks are found. November 15,
The installation 2005; Snow
of a new design P/ Engineering Co.
N 30766-1 Service Letter
horizontal 235,
stabilizer brace dated August 25,
tube assembly is 2004, revised
terminating October 24, 2006;
action for the and Snow
repetitive Engineering Co.
inspection Drill Template--
requirement of 602, Drawing
this AD. Number SL129-602,
dated August 2,
2004.
(3) Do not install any P/N 30012- As of June 12, Not Applicable.
7 horizontal stabilizer brace 2007 (the
tube assembly. effective date of
this AD).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(f) The Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, FAA,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN:
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. Before using any approved AMOC on any
airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
Related Information
(g) To get copies of the service information referenced in this
AD, contact Air Tractor Inc., P.O. Box 485, Olney, Texas 76374;
telephone: (940) 564-5616; 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, or on the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov. The
docket number is Docket No. FAA-2006-26775; Directorate Identifier
2007-CE-01-AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(h) You must use Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter
129A, dated August 7, 2004, revised November 15, 2005; Snow
Engineering Co. Service Letter 235, dated August 25, 2004,
revised October 24, 2006; and Snow Engineering Co. Drill Template--
602, Drawing Number SL129-602, dated August 2, 2004, 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., P.O. Box
[[Page 25960]]
485, Olney, Texas 76374; telephone: (940) 564-5616; fax: (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: https://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_
of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 27, 2007.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-8671 Filed 5-7-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
