Airworthiness Directives; Thrush Aircraft, Inc. Models S2R Series Airplanes, 41042-41045 [E7-14433]
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41042
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 143 / Thursday, July 26, 2007 / Proposed Rules
(d) The Cooperator shall promptly
refund any balance of unobligated cash
advanced or paid by the REE Agency
that it is not authorized to retain for use
in other projects. OMB Circular A–129
governs unreturned amounts that
become delinquent debts.
(e) When authorized by the terms and
conditions of the award, the REE
Agency shall make a settlement for any
upward or downward adjustments to
the Federal share of costs after closeout
reports are received.
(f) The Cooperator shall account for
any personal property acquired with
Federal funds or received from the
Federal Government in accordance with
§ 550.36 through § 550.42.
(g) In the event a final audit has not
been performed prior to the closeout of
an award, the REE Agency shall retain
the right to recover an appropriate
amount after fully considering the
recommendations on disallowed costs
resulting from the final audit.
§ 550.61 Subsequent adjustments and
continuing responsibilities.
The closeout of an award does not
affect any of the following.
(a) The right of the REE Agency to
disallow costs and recover funds on the
basis of a later audit or other review.
(b) The obligation of the Cooperator to
return any funds due as a result of later
refunds, corrections, or other
transactions.
(c) Audit requirements in § 550.24.
(d) Property management
requirements in § 550.36 through
§ 550.42.
(e) Records retention as required in
§ 550.56.
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§ 550.62
Collection of amounts due.
(a) Any funds paid to a Cooperator in
excess of the amount to which the
Cooperator is finally determined to be
entitled under the terms and conditions
of the award constitute a debt to the
Federal Government. If not paid within
a reasonable period after the demand for
payment, the REE Agency may in
accordance with 7 CFR Part 3, reduce
the debt by—
(1) Making an administrative offset
against other requests for
reimbursements or
(2) Withholding advance payments
otherwise due to the Cooperator, or
(3) Taking other action permitted by
statute.
(b) Except as otherwise provided by
law, the REE Agency shall charge
interest on an overdue debt in
accordance with 31 CFR Part 900,
‘‘Federal Claims Collection Standards.’’
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Dated: July 5, 2007.
Edward B. Knipling,
Administrator, Agricultural Research Service.
[FR Doc. E7–13550 Filed 7–25–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–03–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2007–28432; Directorate
Identifier 2007–CE–051–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Thrush
Aircraft, Inc. Models S2R Series
Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Thrush Aircraft, Inc. (Thrush) Model
S2R series airplanes. This proposed AD
would require repetitive visual
inspections of the vertical and
horizontal stabilizer attach fitting, attach
fitting bolts, and the vertical fin aft spar
for cracks or corrosion and require
immediate replacement of cracked or
corroded parts and eventual
replacement if no cracks or corrosion is
found as terminating action for the
repetitive inspections. This proposed
AD results from reports of cracks in the
empennage of Thrush S2R series
airplanes. We are proposing this AD to
detect and correct these cracks, which
could cause the vertical stabilizer to lose
structural integrity. This condition
could lead to loss of control.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by September 24,
2007.
Use one of the following
addresses to comment on this proposed
AD:
• DOT Docket Web site: Go to
https://dms.dot.gov and follow the
instructions for sending your comments
electronically.
• Mail: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
ADDRESSES:
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Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
For service information identified in
this proposed AD, contact: Thrush
Aircraft, Inc., P.O. Box 3149, 300 Old
Pretoria Road, Albany, Georgia 31706–
3149; telephone: 229–883–1440;
facsimile: 229–436–4856; or on the
Internet at: https://
www.thrushaircraft.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT ONE
OF THE FOLLOWING:
—Cindy Lorenzen, Aerospace Engineer,
ACE–115A, Atlanta Aircraft
Certification Office, One Crown
Center, 1895 Phoenix Blvd., Suite
450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349;
telephone: (770) 703–6078; facsimile:
(770) 703–6097; e-mail:
cindy.lorenzen@faa.gov; or
—Mike Cann, Aerospace Engineer,
ACE–117A, Atlanta Aircraft
Certification Office, One Crown
Center, 1895 Phoenix Blvd., Suite
450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349;
telephone: (770) 703–6038; facsimile:
(770) 703–6097; e-mail:
michael.cann@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written
relevant data, views, or arguments
regarding this proposed AD. Send your
comments to an address listed under the
ADDRESSES section. Include the docket
number, ‘‘FAA–2007–28432; Directorate
Identifier 2007–CE–051–AD’’ at the
beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the
overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of
the proposed AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date
and may amend the proposed AD in
light of those comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal
information you provide. We will also
post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact we receive
concerning this proposed AD.
Discussion
We have received reports of cracks in
the empennage of Thrush S2R series
airplanes. Cracks may occur in the
vertical stabilizer attach fitting, the
horizontal stabilizer attach fitting, attach
fitting bolts, and/or the vertical fin aft
spar on airplanes with metal
empennages. A metallurgy report
suggests stress corrosion cracking is the
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 143 / Thursday, July 26, 2007 / Proposed Rules
cause of these cracks. A report was
received from the field that a 5⁄16-inch
vertical attach bolt, part number (P/N)
NAS1105–68, was found broken in two
places, causing the rear spar of the
vertical fin to crack. A separate incident
found the attach fitting on the stabilizer
itself cracked in both lugs from stress
corrosion.
This condition, if not corrected, could
cause the vertical stabilizer to lose
structural integrity. This condition
could lead to loss of control.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Thrush Aircraft,
Inc., Service Bulletin No. SB–AG–45,
Revision B, dated June 1, 2007. The
service information describes
procedures for inspecting and upgrading
the fin spar and attach fittings.
41043
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of the Proposed AD
We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all information and
determined the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same
type design. This proposed AD would
require repetitive visual inspections of
the vertical and horizontal stabilizer
attach fitting, attach fitting bolts, and
the vertical fin aft spar for cracks or
corrosion and require immediate
replacement of cracked or corroded
parts and eventual replacement if no
cracks or corrosion is found as
terminating action for the repetitive
inspections.
upon receipt action to be an urgent
safety of flight compliance time.
Because our risk assessment does not
indicate this unsafe condition to be an
urgent safety of flight condition, we
propose to require an initial inspection
within the next 50 hours time-in-service
(TIS). The initial inspection time of 50
hours TIS is an adequate compliance for
this AD action and meets the FAA
requirements of an NPRM.
We propose to require a terminating
action of replacing the parts within the
next 2 years or 2,000 hours TIS,
whichever occurs first. This is
recommended because there is historic
evidence that inspections alone can
eventually miss detecting a crack.
Differences Between This Proposed AD
and the Service Information
Thrush Aircraft, Inc. SB–AG–45,
Revision B, dated June 1, 2007,
recommends an immediate initial
inspection. We consider immediately
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD
would affect 910 airplanes in the U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to do
the proposed inspection:
Labor cost
Parts cost
Total cost per
airplane
Total cost on
U.S. operators
8 work-hours × $80 per hour = $640 ......................................................
Not applicable ................................
$640
$582,400
We estimate the following costs to do
any necessary replacements of the
vertical fin aft spar 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 replacement:
Labor cost
Parts cost
Total cost per
airplane
12 work-hours × $80 per hour = $960 ................................................................................................................
$3,800
$4,760
We estimate the following costs to
replace the vertical and horizontal
stabilizer attach fittings and attachment
bolt:
Parts cost
Total cost per
airplane
Total cost on
U.S. operators
30 work-hours × $80 per hour = $2,400 ...............................................................................
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Labor cost
$1,550
$3,950
$3,594,500
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
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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 rulemaking
action.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this
proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order
13132. This proposed AD would 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.
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For the reasons discussed above, I
certify that the proposed regulation:
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 regulatory evaluation
of the estimated costs to comply with
this proposed AD and placed it in the
AD docket.
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 143 / Thursday, July 26, 2007 / Proposed Rules
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket that
contains the proposed AD, the
regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information on the
Internet at https://dms.dot.gov; or in
person at the Docket Management
Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Office (telephone
(800) 647–5527) is located at the street
address stated in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after receipt.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part
39 as follows:
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(a) We must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) action by
September 24, 2007.
(b) None.
Applicability
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new AD:
Model
Comments Due Date
Affected ADs
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
§ 39.13
Thrush Aircraft, Inc.: Docket No. FAA–
2007–28432; Directorate Identifier 2007–
CE–051–AD.
(c) This AD applies to the following
airplane models and serial numbers that are
certificated in any category and are equipped
with metal empennage part numbers (P/N)
40220 or 95400 (applies to serial numbers
with or without a ‘‘DC’’ suffix):
Serial Nos.
S2R ................................................................
S2R–R1340 ...................................................
S2R–R1820 ...................................................
S2R–T11 ........................................................
S2R–T15 ........................................................
S2R–T34 ........................................................
(7) S2RHG–T34 ..................................................
(8) S2R–T45 ........................................................
(9) S2R–T65 ........................................................
(10) S2RHG–T65 ................................................
(11) S2R–G1 .......................................................
(12) S2R–G5 .......................................................
(13) S2R–G6 .......................................................
(14) S2R–G10 .....................................................
(15) S2R–T660 ....................................................
Unsafe Condition
(d) This proposed AD results from reports
of cracks in the empennage of Thrush
Aircraft, Inc., S2R series airplanes. We are
1416R through 5100R.
R1340–001 through R1340–035.
R1820–001 through R1820–036.
T11–001 through T11–005.
T15–001 through T15–044 and T27–001 through T27–044.
6000 through 6049, T34–001 through T34–279, T36–001 through T36–279, T41–001 through
T41–279, T42–001 through T42–279.
T34HG–101 through T34HG–107.
T45–001 through T45–015.
T65–001 through T65–018.
T65–001 through T65–018 and T65HG–011 through T65HG–019.
G1–101 through G1–115.
G5–101 through G5–105.
G6–101 through G6–155.
G10–101 through G10–168.
T660–101 through T660–120.
proposing this AD to detect and correct these
cracks, which could cause the vertical
stabilizer to lose structural integrity. This
condition could lead to loss of control.
Compliance
(e) To address this problem, you must do
the following, unless already done:
Compliance
Procedures
(1) Perform a visual inspection of the vertical
stabilizer attach fitting (P/N 40301–7), the
horizontal stabilizer attach fitting (P/N 40303–
1/–4/–7 or 95267–1), attachment bolt (P/N
NAS1105–68), and vertical fin aft spar (P/N
40261–24 or P/N 95253–1), for cracks or corrosion.
(2) If cracks or corrosion are found in P/N
40301–7, 40303–1/–4/–7, 95267–1, or
NAS1105–68 during any inspection required
in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, replace all
three parts with new P/Ns 95266–3, 95267–5
and NAS6207–68.
(3) If cracks or corrosion are found in P/N
40261–24 or 95253–1 during any inspection
required in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, replace with a new P/N 40261–24 or 95253–1,
or repair in accordance with Thrush SB–AG–
45, Revision B.
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Actions
Within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS)
after the effective date of this AD and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed
every 100 hours TIS for up to 2 years or a
total of 2,000 hours TIS, whichever occurs
first.
Follow Thrush Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin
No. SB–AG–45, Revision B, dated June 1,
2007.
Before further flight after any inspection where
cracks or corrosion are found.
Follow Thrush Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin
No. SB–AG–45, Revision B, dated June 1,
2007.
Before further flight after any inspection where
cracks or corrosion are found.
Follow Thrush Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin
No. SB–AG–45, Revision B, dated June 1,
2007.
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 143 / Thursday, July 26, 2007 / Proposed Rules
41045
Actions
Compliance
Procedures
(4) Replace vertical stabilizer attach fitting P/N
40301–7 with P/N 95266–3, replace horizontal stabilizer attach fitting P/N 40303–1/–
4/–7 or 95267–1 with P/N 95267–5, and replace attachment bolt NAS1105–68 with
NAS6207–68 bolt.
Within the next 2,000 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD or within 2 years
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first. This action terminates the
repetitive inspections required in paragraph
(e)(1) of this AD, including the inspections
of the vertical fin aft spar, P/N 40261–24 or
95253–1.
Follow Thrush Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin
No. SB–AG–45, Revision B, dated June 1,
2007.
Special Flight Permit
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
(f) Under 14 CFR part 39.23, we are
limiting the special flight permits authorized
for this AD to ferry aircraft to a maintenance
facility for inspection by the following
conditions:
(1) Hopper must be empty.
(2) Vne reduced to 126 m.p.h. (109 knots);
and
(3) No flight into known turbulence.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(g) The Manager, 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: Cindy Lorenzen,
Aerospace Engineer, ACE–115A, Atlanta
Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown
Center, 1895 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 450,
Atlanta, GA 30349; telephone: (770) 703–
6078; facsimile: (770) 703–6097; e-mail:
cindy.lorenzen@faa.gov; or Mike Cann,
Aerospace Engineer, ACE–117A, Atlanta
Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown
Center, 1895 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 450,
Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 703–
6038; facsimile: (770) 703–6097; e-mail:
michael.cann@faa.gov. 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
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(h) To get copies of the service information
referenced in this AD, contact Thrush
Aircraft, Inc., P.O. Box 3149, 300 Old Pretoria
Road, Albany, Georgia 31706–3149;
telephone: 229–883–1440; facsimile: 229–
436–4856; or on the Internet at: https://
www.thrushaircraft.com. To view the AD
docket, go to U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30,
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–
140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590, or on the Internet at
https://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is
Docket No. FAA–2007–28432; Directorate
Identifier 2007–CE–051–AD.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 20,
2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7–14433 Filed 7–25–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
VerDate Aug<31>2005
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Internal Revenue Service
26 CFR Part 301
Zone Act of 2005, the Tax Relief and
Health Care Act of 2006, and the Small
Business and Work Opportunity Tax
Act of 2007. The regulations provide’’.
RIN 1545–BE07
Application of Section 6404(g) of the
Internal Revenue Code Suspension
Provisions; Correction
LaNita Van Dyke,
Chief, Publications and Regulations Branch,
Legal Processing Division, Associate Chief
Counsel (Procedure and Administration).
[FR Doc. E7–14400 Filed 7–25–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830–01–P
[REG–149036–04]
Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
Treasury.
ACTION: Correction to notice of proposed
rulemaking by cross-reference to
temporary regulations.
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
SUMMARY: This document contains
corrections to notice of proposed
rulemaking by cross-reference to
temporary regulations (REG–149036–04)
that were published in the Federal
Register on Thursday, June 21, 2007 (72
FR 34204) relating to the application of
section 6404(g) of the Internal Revenue
Code suspension provisions.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Stuart Spielman, (202) 622–7950 (not a
toll-free number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[REG–149036–04]
AGENCY:
Background
The notice of proposed rulemaking by
cross-reference to temporary regulations
that are the subject of this correction are
under section 6404(g) of the Internal
Revenue Code.
Need for Correction
As published, proposed regulations
(REG–149036–04) contains an error that
may prove to be misleading and is in
need of clarification.
Correction of Publication
Accordingly, the publication of the
proposed regulations (REG–149036–04),
which was the subject of FR Doc. E7–
12085, is corrected as follows:
On page 34204, column 1, in the
preamble, under the caption SUMMARY:,
lines 11 through 13, the language ‘‘the
gulf Opportunity zone act of 2005, and
the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of
2006. The regulations provide’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘the Gulf Opportunity
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Internal Revenue Service
26 CFR Part 301
RIN 1545–BG75
Application of Section 6404(g) of the
Internal Revenue Code Suspension
Provisions; Correction
Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
Treasury.
ACTION: Correction to notice of proposed
rulemaking.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This document contains
corrections to the notice of proposed
rulemaking (REG–149036–04) that were
published in the Federal Register on
Thursday, June 21, 2007 (72 FR 34199)
proposing regulations for the
suspension of interest, penalties,
additions to tax or additional amounts
under section 6404(g) of the Internal
Revenue Code that explain the general
rules for suspension as well as
exceptions to those general rules.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Stuart Spielman, (202) 622–7950 (not a
toll-free number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The notice of proposed rulemaking
that is the subject of this correction is
under section 6404(g) of the Internal
Revenue Code.
Need for Correction
As published, the proposed
regulations (REG–149036–04) contain
errors that may prove to be misleading
and are in need of clarification.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 143 (Thursday, July 26, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41042-41045]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14433]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28432; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-051-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Thrush Aircraft, Inc. Models S2R Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Thrush Aircraft, Inc. (Thrush) Model S2R series airplanes. This
proposed AD would require repetitive visual inspections of the vertical
and horizontal stabilizer attach fitting, attach fitting bolts, and the
vertical fin aft spar for cracks or corrosion and require immediate
replacement of cracked or corroded parts and eventual replacement if no
cracks or corrosion is found as terminating action for the repetitive
inspections. This proposed AD results from reports of cracks in the
empennage of Thrush S2R series airplanes. We are proposing this AD to
detect and correct these cracks, which could cause the vertical
stabilizer to lose structural integrity. This condition could lead to
loss of control.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 24,
2007.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this
proposed AD:
DOT Docket Web site: Go to https://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact:
Thrush Aircraft, Inc., P.O. Box 3149, 300 Old Pretoria Road, Albany,
Georgia 31706-3149; telephone: 229-883-1440; facsimile: 229-436-4856;
or on the Internet at: https://www.thrushaircraft.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
--Cindy Lorenzen, Aerospace Engineer, ACE-115A, Atlanta Aircraft
Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 450,
Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 703-6078; facsimile: (770)
703-6097; e-mail: cindy.lorenzen@faa.gov; or
--Mike Cann, Aerospace Engineer, ACE-117A, Atlanta Aircraft
Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 450,
Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 703-6038; facsimile: (770)
703-6097; e-mail: michael.cann@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, ``FAA-
2007-28432; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-051-AD'' at the beginning of
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may
amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive concerning this proposed AD.
Discussion
We have received reports of cracks in the empennage of Thrush S2R
series airplanes. Cracks may occur in the vertical stabilizer attach
fitting, the horizontal stabilizer attach fitting, attach fitting
bolts, and/or the vertical fin aft spar on airplanes with metal
empennages. A metallurgy report suggests stress corrosion cracking is
the
[[Page 41043]]
cause of these cracks. A report was received from the field that a \5/
16\-inch vertical attach bolt, part number (P/N) NAS1105-68, was found
broken in two places, causing the rear spar of the vertical fin to
crack. A separate incident found the attach fitting on the stabilizer
itself cracked in both lugs from stress corrosion.
This condition, if not corrected, could cause the vertical
stabilizer to lose structural integrity. This condition could lead to
loss of control.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Thrush Aircraft, Inc., Service Bulletin No. SB-AG-
45, Revision B, dated June 1, 2007. The service information describes
procedures for inspecting and upgrading the fin spar and attach
fittings.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist
or develop on other products of the same type design. This proposed AD
would require repetitive visual inspections of the vertical and
horizontal stabilizer attach fitting, attach fitting bolts, and the
vertical fin aft spar for cracks or corrosion and require immediate
replacement of cracked or corroded parts and eventual replacement if no
cracks or corrosion is found as terminating action for the repetitive
inspections.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information
Thrush Aircraft, Inc. SB-AG-45, Revision B, dated June 1, 2007,
recommends an immediate initial inspection. We consider immediately
upon receipt action to be an urgent safety of flight compliance time.
Because our risk assessment does not indicate this unsafe condition to
be an urgent safety of flight condition, we propose to require an
initial inspection within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS). The
initial inspection time of 50 hours TIS is an adequate compliance for
this AD action and meets the FAA requirements of an NPRM.
We propose to require a terminating action of replacing the parts
within the next 2 years or 2,000 hours TIS, whichever occurs first.
This is recommended because there is historic evidence that inspections
alone can eventually miss detecting a crack.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 910 airplanes in the
U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to do the proposed inspection:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost per Total cost on
Labor cost Parts cost airplane U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 work-hours x $80 per hour = $640.......... Not applicable................ $640 $582,400
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements of
the vertical fin aft spar 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 replacement:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 work-hours x $80 per hour = $960. $3,800 $4,760
------------------------------------------------------------------------
We estimate the following costs to replace the vertical and
horizontal stabilizer attach fittings and attachment bolt:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost per Total cost on
Labor cost Parts cost airplane U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30 work-hours x $80 per hour = $2,400..................... $1,550 $3,950 $3,594,500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed
regulation:
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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
[[Page 41044]]
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on
the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket
Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527)
is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
Thrush Aircraft, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2007-28432; Directorate
Identifier 2007-CE-051-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) action by September 24, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the following airplane models and serial
numbers that are certificated in any category and are equipped with
metal empennage part numbers (P/N) 40220 or 95400 (applies to serial
numbers with or without a ``DC'' suffix):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) S2R........................... 1416R through 5100R.
(2) S2R-R1340..................... R1340-001 through R1340-035.
(3) S2R-R1820..................... R1820-001 through R1820-036.
(4) S2R-T11....................... T11-001 through T11-005.
(5) S2R-T15....................... T15-001 through T15-044 and T27-001
through T27-044.
(6) S2R-T34....................... 6000 through 6049, T34-001 through
T34-279, T36-001 through T36-279,
T41-001 through T41-279, T42-001
through T42-279.
(7) S2RHG-T34..................... T34HG-101 through T34HG-107.
(8) S2R-T45....................... T45-001 through T45-015.
(9) S2R-T65....................... T65-001 through T65-018.
(10) S2RHG-T65.................... T65-001 through T65-018 and T65HG-
011 through T65HG-019.
(11) S2R-G1....................... G1-101 through G1-115.
(12) S2R-G5....................... G5-101 through G5-105.
(13) S2R-G6....................... G6-101 through G6-155.
(14) S2R-G10...................... G10-101 through G10-168.
(15) S2R-T660..................... T660-101 through T660-120.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsafe Condition
(d) This proposed AD results from reports of cracks in the
empennage of Thrush Aircraft, Inc., S2R series airplanes. We are
proposing this AD to detect and correct these cracks, which could
cause the vertical stabilizer to lose structural integrity. This
condition could lead to loss of control.
Compliance
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless
already done:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actions Compliance Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Perform a visual Within the next 50 Follow Thrush
inspection of the vertical hours time-in- Aircraft, Inc.
stabilizer attach fitting service (TIS) after Service Bulletin
(P/N 40301-7), the the effective date No. SB-AG-45,
horizontal stabilizer of this AD and Revision B, dated
attach fitting (P/N 40303-1/ repetitively June 1, 2007.
-4/-7 or 95267-1), thereafter at
attachment bolt (P/N intervals not to
NAS1105-68), and vertical exceed every 100
fin aft spar (P/N 40261-24 hours TIS for up to
or P/N 95253-1), for cracks 2 years or a total
or corrosion. of 2,000 hours TIS,
whichever occurs
first.
(2) If cracks or corrosion Before further Follow Thrush
are found in P/N 40301-7, flight after any Aircraft, Inc.
40303-1/-4/-7, 95267-1, or inspection where Service Bulletin
NAS1105-68 during any cracks or corrosion No. SB-AG-45,
inspection required in are found. Revision B, dated
paragraph (e)(1) of this June 1, 2007.
AD, replace all three parts
with new P/Ns 95266-3,
95267-5 and NAS6207-68.
(3) If cracks or corrosion Before further Follow Thrush
are found in P/N 40261-24 flight after any Aircraft, Inc.
or 95253-1 during any inspection where Service Bulletin
inspection required in cracks or corrosion No. SB-AG-45,
paragraph (e)(1) of this are found. Revision B, dated
AD, replace with a new P/N June 1, 2007.
40261-24 or 95253-1, or
repair in accordance with
Thrush SB-AG-45, Revision B.
[[Page 41045]]
(4) Replace vertical Within the next Follow Thrush
stabilizer attach fitting P/ 2,000 hours TIS Aircraft, Inc.
N 40301-7 with P/N 95266-3, after the effective Service Bulletin
replace horizontal date of this AD or No. SB-AG-45,
stabilizer attach fitting P/ within 2 years Revision B, dated
N 40303-1/-4/-7 or 95267-1 after the effective June 1, 2007.
with P/N 95267-5, and date of this AD,
replace attachment bolt whichever occurs
NAS1105-68 with NAS6207-68 first. This action
bolt. terminates the
repetitive
inspections
required in
paragraph (e)(1) of
this AD, including
the inspections of
the vertical fin
aft spar, P/N 40261-
24 or 95253-1.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Flight Permit
(f) Under 14 CFR part 39.23, we are limiting the special flight
permits authorized for this AD to ferry aircraft to a maintenance
facility for inspection by the following conditions:
(1) Hopper must be empty.
(2) Vne reduced to 126 m.p.h. (109 knots); and
(3) No flight into known turbulence.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) The Manager, 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: Cindy Lorenzen, Aerospace Engineer, ACE-
115A, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895
Phoenix Blvd., Suite 450, Atlanta, GA 30349; telephone: (770) 703-
6078; facsimile: (770) 703-6097; e-mail: cindy.lorenzen@faa.gov; or
Mike Cann, Aerospace Engineer, ACE-117A, Atlanta Aircraft
Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Blvd., Suite
450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 703-6038; facsimile:
(770) 703-6097; e-mail: michael.cann@faa.gov. 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
(h) To get copies of the service information referenced in this
AD, contact Thrush Aircraft, Inc., P.O. Box 3149, 300 Old Pretoria
Road, Albany, Georgia 31706-3149; telephone: 229-883-1440;
facsimile: 229-436-4856; or on the Internet at: https://
www.thrushaircraft.com. To view the AD docket, go to U.S. Department
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC
20590, or on the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov. The docket number
is Docket No. FAA-2007-28432; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-051-AD.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 20, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-14433 Filed 7-25-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
