Airworthiness Directives; Air Tractor, Inc. AT-400, AT-500, AT-600, and AT-800 Series Airplanes, 25967-25970 [E8-9925]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 90 / Thursday, May 8, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
25967
TABLE 3.—MATERIAL PREVIOUSLY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
EMBRAER Service Bulletin
Revision/change level
Date
145–27–0075 .........................................................................
145–27–0086 .........................................................................
145–27–0087 .........................................................................
Revision 08 ...........................................................................
Change 04 ............................................................................
Change 03 ............................................................................
March 3, 2005.
March 21, 2005.
September 27, 2002.
(3) Contact Empresa Brasileira de
Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER), P.O. Box 343,
CEP 12.225, Sao Jose dos Campos, SP, Brazil,
for a copy of this service information. You
may review copies at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington; 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 23,
2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8–9890 Filed 5–7–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2007–0258; Directorate
Identifier 2007–CE–090–AD; Amendment
39–15518; AD 2008–10–12]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Air Tractor,
Inc. AT–400, AT–500, AT–600, and AT–
800 Series Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) to
supersede AD 2007–13–17, which
applies to certain Air Tractor, Inc. (Air
Tractor) Models AT–602, AT–802, and
AT–802A airplanes. AD 2007–13–17
currently requires you to repetitively
inspect the engine mount for any cracks,
repair or replace any cracked engine
mount, and report any cracks found to
the FAA. Since we issued AD 2007–13–
17, Air Tractor has learned of a Model
AT–502B with a crack located where the
lower engine mount tube is welded to
the engine mount ring. In addition, Air
Tractor has developed gussets that,
when installed according to their
service letter, terminate the repetitive
inspection requirement. Consequently,
this AD would retain the inspection
actions of AD 2007–13–17 for Model
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SUMMARY:
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16:31 May 07, 2008
Jkt 214001
AT–602, AT–802, and AT–802A
airplanes, including the compliance
times and effective dates; establish new
inspection actions for the AT–400 and
AT–500 series airplanes; incorporate a
mandatory terminating action for all
airplanes; and terminate the reporting
requirement of AD 2007–13–17. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct
cracks in the engine mount, which
could result in failure of the engine
mount. Such failure could lead to
separation of the engine from the
airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on
June 12, 2008.
On June 12, 2008, the Director of the
Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of Snow
Engineering Co. Service Letter #253,
Rev. C, dated April 17, 2008; Snow
Engineering Co. Service Letter #253,
Rev. B, dated November 30, 2007; and
Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter
#253 Rev. A, dated October 16, 2007, as
listed in this AD.
As of August 10, 2007 (72 FR 36863,
July 6, 2007), the Director of the Federal
Register approved the incorporation by
reference of Snow Engineering Co.
Service Letter #253, revised January 22,
2007, as 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 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://
www.regulations.gov. The docket
number is FAA–2007–0258; Directorate
Identifier 2007–CE–090–AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Andy McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer,
10100 Reunion Pl., Suite 650, San
Antonio, Texas 78216; telephone: (210)
308–3365; fax: (210) 308–3370.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On November 23, 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 all
Air Tractor AT–400, AT–500, AT–600,
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Sfmt 4700
and AT–800 series airplanes. This
proposal was published in the Federal
Register as a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) on November 30,
2007 (72 FR 67687). The NPRM
proposed to supersede AD 2007–13–17
with a new AD that would retain the
inspection actions of AD 2007–13–17
for Models AT–602, AT–802, and AT–
802A airplanes, including the
compliance times and effective dates;
establish new inspection actions for the
AT–400 and AT–500 series airplanes;
incorporate a mandatory terminating
action for all airplanes; and terminate
the reporting requirement of AD 2007–
13–17. That proposed AD would have
required you to use Snow Engineering
Co. Service Letter #253 Rev. A, dated
October 16, 2007.
Air Tractor revised the Snow
Engineering Co. Service Letter #253 to
the Rev. B level (dated November 30,
2007), and:
• The FAA determined the actions in
the revised service letter were necessary
and needed to be incorporated into the
proposed AD; and
• Because incorporating the revision
increased the burden upon the public
over that proposed in the NPRM, the
FAA issued a supplemental NPRM to
give the public an additional
opportunity to comment.
The supplemental NPRM was
published in the Federal Register on
December 14, 2007 (72 FR 71086).
Comments
The following presents the comment
received on the proposal and FAA’s
response to that comment:
Comment Issue: Delay the Terminating
Action
Mr. Leland Snow, President of Air
Tractor, and five other commenters
recommend some kind of delay in
mandating the terminating action in the
proposed AD. Mr. Snow and one other
commenter believe that the compliance
time to install welded gussets on the
engine mounts can be adjusted from
before the airplane reaches 5,000 total
hours time-in-service (TIS) to before the
airplane reaches 8,000 hours total TIS.
In order to get through the current spray
season, three commenters believe the
compliance time should be delayed 12
months or when the engine is removed.
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 90 / Thursday, May 8, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
The other commenter recommends
shorter interval repetitive inspections
with no mandatory terminating action.
The FAA partially agrees. Our review
of the current service history does not
support allowing the installation of
welded gussets to be extended from
before the airplane reaches 5,000 total
hours TIS to before the airplane reaches
8,000 hours total TIS. We have received
no additional data to substantiate the
airworthiness aspects of such an
extension and show that the unsafe
condition is addressed.
After further evaluation of the service
history and the risk involved, we have
determined that terminating action can
be delayed until the beginning of the
2009 spray season (May 1, 2009)
provided 100-hour TIS repetitive
inspections are done and no cracks are
found. Therefore, we are changing the
final rule AD action to allow for the
option of delaying the terminating
action until April 30, 2009, with the
provisions described above.
In addition, Air Tractor has revised
Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter
#253 to the Revision C level (dated
April 17, 2008). This revision
incorporates new gusset part numbers
for the AT–400 and AT–500 series
airplanes. The gusset part numbers
provided in Revision B or Revision C of
the service letter address the unsafe
condition. We will incorporate this
service letter revision into the final rule.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the
available data and determined that air
Labor cost
safety and the public interest require
adopting the AD as proposed except for
the change and addition described
above and minor editorial corrections.
We have determined that the change,
addition, and minor corrections:
• Are consistent with the intent that
was proposed in the NPRM or
supplemental NPRM for correcting the
unsafe condition; and
• Do not add any additional burden
upon the public than was already
proposed in the NPRM or supplemental
NPRM.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 1,264
airplanes in the U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to do
the inspection:
Total cost per
airplane
Parts cost
1.5 work-hours × $80 per hour = $120 .......................................................................................
Total cost on
U.S. operators
$120
$151,680
Total cost per
airplane
Total cost on
U.S. operators
$2,000
$2,528,000
$0
We estimate the following costs to do
the repair/modification:
Labor cost
Parts cost
24 work-hours × $80 per hour = $1,920 .....................................................................................
The estimated total cost on U.S.
operators includes the cumulative costs
associated with AD 2007–13–17 and
those airplanes and actions being added
in this AD.
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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.
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16:31 May 07, 2008
Jkt 214001
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–2007–0258;
Directorate Identifier 2007–CE–090–
AD’’ in your request.
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$80
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
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
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
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by
removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2007–13–17, Amendment 39–15121 (72
FR 36863, July 6, 2007), and adding the
following new AD:
I
2008–10–12 Air Tractor, Inc.: Amendment
39–15518; Docket No. FAA–2007–0258;
Directorate Identifier 2007–CE–090–AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective on June 12,
2008.
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 90 / Thursday, May 8, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
Affected ADs
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the following
airplane models and serial numbers that are
certificated in any category:
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2007–13–17,
Amendment 39–15121.
Models
Serial Nos.
AT–400, AT–400A, AT–402, AT–402A, and AT–402B .........................................................................................................
AT–502, AT–502A, AT–502B, and AT–503A ........................................................................................................................
AT–602 ...................................................................................................................................................................................
AT–802 and AT–802A ...........................................................................................................................................................
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report of a
Model AT–502B airplane with a crack
located where the lower engine mount tube
is welded to the engine mount ring. The
airplane had 8,436 total hours time-in-service
(TIS). We are issuing this AD to detect and
correct cracks in the engine mount, which
could result in failure of the engine mount.
Such failure could lead to separation of the
engine from the airplane.
Compliance
(e) To address this problem, you must do
the following, unless already done:
(1) For all airplanes with less than 5,000
hours total TIS that do not have gussets
–0001
–0001
–0001
–0001
through
through
through
through
–1175.
–2597.
–1141.
–0227.
installed on the engine mount in accordance
with Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter
#253 Rev. A, dated October 16, 2007; Snow
Engineering Co. Service Letter #253 Rev. B,
dated November 30, 2007; or Snow
Engineering Co. Service Letter #253 Rev. C,
dated April 17, 2008: Visually inspect the
engine mount as follows:
Affected airplanes
Compliance
Procedures
(i) For all Models AT–602, AT–802, and AT–
802A airplanes.
Initially before the airplane reaches a total of
1,300 hours TIS or within the next 100
hours TIS after August 10, 2007 (the effective date of AD 2007–13–17), whichever occurs later. Repetitively thereafter at intervals
not to exceed 300 hours TIS.
(ii) For all Model AT–502A airplanes .................
Initially before the airplane reaches a total of
1,300 hours TIS or within the next 100
hours TIS after June 12, 2008 (the effective
date of this AD), whichever occurs later.
Repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 hours TIS.
Initially within the next 12 months after June
12, 2008 (the effective date of this AD). Repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months.
Follow one of the following:
(A) Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter
#253, Rev. C, dated April 17, 2008;
(B) Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter
#253, Rev. B, dated November 30, 2007;
(C) Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter
#253, Rev. A, dated October 16, 2007;
or
(D) Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter
#253, revised January 22, 2007.
Follow one of the following:
(A) Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter
#253, Rev. C, dated April 17, 2008; or
(B) Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter
#253, Rev. B, dated November 30, 2007.
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(iii) For all Models AT–400, AT–400A, AT–402,
AT–402A, AT–402B, AT–502, AT–502B, and
AT–503A airplanes.
(2) For all airplanes: Before further flight
after any inspection required by paragraph
(e)(1) of this AD where crack damage is
found, repair and modify the engine mount
by installing gussets following Snow
Engineering Co. Service Letter #253, Rev. C,
dated April 17, 2008; or Snow Engineering
Co. Service Letter #253, Rev. B, dated
November 30, 2007. This modification
terminates the repetitive inspections required
in paragraphs (e)(1)(i), (e)(1)(ii), and (e)(1)(iii)
of this AD.
(3) For all airplanes: Unless already done
(mandated by paragraph (e)(2) of this AD
when crack damage was found) inspect,
repair if cracked, and modify the engine
mount by installing gussets following Snow
Engineering Co. Service Letter #253, Rev. C,
dated April 17, 2008; or Snow Engineering
Co. Service Letter #253, Rev. B, dated
November 30, 2007, at whichever of the
following compliance times that occurs later.
This modification terminates the repetitive
inspections required in paragraphs (e)(1)(i),
(e)(1)(ii), and (e)(1)(iii) of this AD.
(i) Before the airplane reaches 5,000 hours
total TIS; or
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:31 May 07, 2008
Jkt 214001
(ii) Within the next 100 hours TIS after
June 12, 2008 (the effective date of this AD).
(4) For all airplanes: You may delay the
modification specified in paragraph (e)(3)
above until April 30, 2009, provided you do
the following in accordance with the service
information provided in the Procedures
column of the table presented in paragraph
(e)(1) of this AD:
(i) Initially inspect upon reaching the
applicable time in paragraph (e)(3)(i) or
(e)(3)(ii) of this AD, unless already done
within the last 100 hours TIS;
(ii) Repetitively inspect thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS; and
(iii) If cracks are found during any
inspection, before further flight, repair the
cracked part and install the gussets.
Note: As a terminating action to the
repetitive inspections required in paragraphs
(e)(1)(i), (e)(1)(ii), and (e)(1)(iii) of this AD,
you may install the gussets before finding
cracks or reaching the times specified above
provided you inspect to assure the area is
crack free before installing the gussets.
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Follow one of the following:
(A) Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter
#253, Rev. C, dated April 17, 2008; or
(B) Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter
#253, Rev. B, dated November 30, 2007.
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: Andy McAnaul,
Aerospace Engineer, ASW–150, FAA San
Antonio MIDO–43, 10100 Reunion Place,
Suite 650, San Antonio, Texas 78216; phone:
(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.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(g) You must use Snow Engineering Co.
Service Letter #253, Rev. C, dated April 17,
2008; Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter
#253, Rev. B, dated November 30, 2007;
Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #253,
Rev. A, dated October 16, 2007; or Snow
Engineering Co. Service Letter #253, revised
January 22, 2007, to do the actions required
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 90 / Thursday, May 8, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
by this AD, unless the AD specifies
otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of
Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #253,
Rev. C, dated April 17, 2008; Snow
Engineering Co. Service Letter #253, Rev. B,
dated November 30, 2007; and Snow
Engineering Co. Service Letter #253 Rev. A,
dated October 16, 2007, under 5 U.S.C. 552(a)
and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) On August 10, 2007 (72 FR 36863, July
6, 2007), the Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of
Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #253,
revised January 22, 2007.
(3) 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.
(4) 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
30, 2008.
Patrick R. Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8–9925 Filed 5–7–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. FAA–2007–28383; Directorate
Identifier 2006–NM–180–AD; Amendment
39–15515; AD 2008–10–09]
RIN 2120–AA64
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov; or in person at the
Docket Management Facility between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for the
Docket Office (telephone 800–647–5527)
is the Document Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M–30, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
Sue
Lucier, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion
Branch, ANM–140S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98057–3356; telephone (425) 917–6438;
fax (425) 917–6590.
Discussion
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Boeing Model 737–100, –200, –200C,
–300, –400, and –500 series airplanes.
This AD requires revising the FAAapproved maintenance program to
incorporate new airworthiness
limitations (AWLs) for fuel tank systems
to satisfy Special Federal Aviation
Regulation No. 88 requirements. This
AD also requires the initial inspection of
a certain repetitive AWL inspection to
phase in that inspection, and repair if
necessary. This AD results from a design
Jkt 214001
For service information
identified in this AD, contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707,
Seattle, Washington 98124–2207.
ADDRESSES:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing
Model 737–100, –200, –200C, –300,
–400, and –500 Series Airplanes
16:31 May 07, 2008
This AD is effective June 12,
2008.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain publication listed in this AD
as of June 12, 2008.
DATES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
14 CFR Part 39
VerDate Aug<31>2005
review of the fuel tank system. We are
issuing this AD to prevent the potential
for ignition sources inside fuel tanks
caused by latent failures, alterations,
repairs, or maintenance actions, which,
in combination with flammable fuel
vapors, could result in a fuel tank
explosion and consequent loss of the
airplane.
We issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that would apply to all
Boeing Model 737–100, –200, –200C,
–300, –400, and –500 series airplanes.
That NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on July 6, 2007 (72 FR
36907). That NPRM proposed to require
revising the FAA-approved maintenance
program to incorporate new
airworthiness limitations (AWLs) for
fuel tank systems to satisfy Special
Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88
requirements. That NPRM also proposed
to require the initial inspection of a
certain repetitive AWL inspection to
phase in that inspection, and repair if
necessary.
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Actions Since NPRM Was Issued
Since we issued the NPRM, Boeing
has issued Revision March 2008 of the
737–100/200/200C/300/400/500
Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and
Certification Maintenance Requirements
(CMRs), D6–38278–CMR (hereafter
referred to as ‘‘Revision March 2008 of
Document D6–38278–CMR’’). The
NPRM referred to Revision May 2006 of
Document D6–38278–CMR as the
appropriate source of service
information for accomplishing the
proposed actions. Revision March 2008
of Document D6–38278–CMR, among
other actions, includes the following
changes:
• Removes the repetitive task interval
of 36,000 flight cycles from AWLs No.
28–AWL–01 and No. 28–AWL–03.
• Revises the task description for
AWL No. 28–AWL–01 to harmonize it
with AWL No. 28–AWL–02 by removing
references to certain station numbers.
• Revises AWL No. 28–AWL–03 to
reflect the new maximum loop
resistance values associated with the
lightning protection of the
unpressurized fuel quantity indicating
system (FQIS) wire bundle installations.
Accordingly, we have revised
paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this AD to
refer to Revision March 2008 of
Document D6–38278–CMR. We also
have added a new paragraph (j) to this
AD specifying that actions done before
the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Revisions May 2006
through November 2007 of Document
D6–38278–CMR are acceptable for
compliance with the corresponding
requirements of paragraphs (g) and (h)
of this AD.
We also have removed reference to
36,000 total flight hours from paragraph
(h)(1) of this AD and revised the initial
threshold for accomplishing AWL No.
28–AWL–03 to within 120 months since
the date of issuance of the original
standard airworthiness certificate or the
date of issuance of the original export
certificate of airworthiness.
Operators should note that paragraph
(g) of this AD requires only
incorporating AWLs No. 28–AWL–01
through No. 28–AWL–20 inclusive for
Model 737–100, –200, and –200C series
airplanes, and AWLs No. 28–AWL–01
through No. 28–AWL–19 inclusive for
Model 737–300, –400, and –500 series
airplanes. Revision September 2006 of
Document D6–38278–CMR added AWL
inspections of the fuel boost pump auto
shutoff system for the center and
auxiliary fuel tanks (specified as AWLs
No. 28–AWL–20 and No. 28–AWL–21
for Model 737–300, –400, and –500
series airplanes, and AWLs No. 28–
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 90 (Thursday, May 8, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25967-25970]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-9925]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-0258; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-090-AD;
Amendment 39-15518; AD 2008-10-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Air Tractor, Inc. AT-400, AT-500, AT-
600, and AT-800 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) to
supersede AD 2007-13-17, which applies to certain Air Tractor, Inc.
(Air Tractor) Models AT-602, AT-802, and AT-802A airplanes. AD 2007-13-
17 currently requires you to repetitively inspect the engine mount for
any cracks, repair or replace any cracked engine mount, and report any
cracks found to the FAA. Since we issued AD 2007-13-17, Air Tractor has
learned of a Model AT-502B with a crack located where the lower engine
mount tube is welded to the engine mount ring. In addition, Air Tractor
has developed gussets that, when installed according to their service
letter, terminate the repetitive inspection requirement. Consequently,
this AD would retain the inspection actions of AD 2007-13-17 for Model
AT-602, AT-802, and AT-802A airplanes, including the compliance times
and effective dates; establish new inspection actions for the AT-400
and AT-500 series airplanes; incorporate a mandatory terminating action
for all airplanes; and terminate the reporting requirement of AD 2007-
13-17. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the
engine mount, which could result in failure of the engine mount. Such
failure could lead to separation of the engine from the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on June 12, 2008.
On June 12, 2008, the Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter
253, Rev. C, dated April 17, 2008; Snow Engineering Co.
Service Letter 253, Rev. B, dated November 30, 2007; and Snow
Engineering Co. Service Letter 253 Rev. A, dated October 16,
2007, as listed in this AD.
As of August 10, 2007 (72 FR 36863, July 6, 2007), the Director of
the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Snow
Engineering Co. Service Letter 253, revised January 22, 2007,
as 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 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://www.regulations.gov. The docket number is FAA-2007-0258;
Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-090-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andy McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer,
10100 Reunion Pl., Suite 650, San Antonio, Texas 78216; telephone:
(210) 308-3365; fax: (210) 308-3370.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On November 23, 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 all Air Tractor AT-400, AT-500, AT-600, and AT-800
series airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register
as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 30, 2007 (72 FR
67687). The NPRM proposed to supersede AD 2007-13-17 with a new AD that
would retain the inspection actions of AD 2007-13-17 for Models AT-602,
AT-802, and AT-802A airplanes, including the compliance times and
effective dates; establish new inspection actions for the AT-400 and
AT-500 series airplanes; incorporate a mandatory terminating action for
all airplanes; and terminate the reporting requirement of AD 2007-13-
17. That proposed AD would have required you to use Snow Engineering
Co. Service Letter 253 Rev. A, dated October 16, 2007.
Air Tractor revised the Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter
253 to the Rev. B level (dated November 30, 2007), and:
The FAA determined the actions in the revised service
letter were necessary and needed to be incorporated into the proposed
AD; and
Because incorporating the revision increased the burden
upon the public over that proposed in the NPRM, the FAA issued a
supplemental NPRM to give the public an additional opportunity to
comment.
The supplemental NPRM was published in the Federal Register on
December 14, 2007 (72 FR 71086).
Comments
The following presents the comment received on the proposal and
FAA's response to that comment:
Comment Issue: Delay the Terminating Action
Mr. Leland Snow, President of Air Tractor, and five other
commenters recommend some kind of delay in mandating the terminating
action in the proposed AD. Mr. Snow and one other commenter believe
that the compliance time to install welded gussets on the engine mounts
can be adjusted from before the airplane reaches 5,000 total hours
time-in-service (TIS) to before the airplane reaches 8,000 hours total
TIS. In order to get through the current spray season, three commenters
believe the compliance time should be delayed 12 months or when the
engine is removed.
[[Page 25968]]
The other commenter recommends shorter interval repetitive inspections
with no mandatory terminating action.
The FAA partially agrees. Our review of the current service history
does not support allowing the installation of welded gussets to be
extended from before the airplane reaches 5,000 total hours TIS to
before the airplane reaches 8,000 hours total TIS. We have received no
additional data to substantiate the airworthiness aspects of such an
extension and show that the unsafe condition is addressed.
After further evaluation of the service history and the risk
involved, we have determined that terminating action can be delayed
until the beginning of the 2009 spray season (May 1, 2009) provided
100-hour TIS repetitive inspections are done and no cracks are found.
Therefore, we are changing the final rule AD action to allow for the
option of delaying the terminating action until April 30, 2009, with
the provisions described above.
In addition, Air Tractor has revised Snow Engineering Co. Service
Letter 253 to the Revision C level (dated April 17, 2008).
This revision incorporates new gusset part numbers for the AT-400 and
AT-500 series airplanes. The gusset part numbers provided in Revision B
or Revision C of the service letter address the unsafe condition. We
will incorporate this service letter revision into the final rule.
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 the change and addition described above and minor editorial
corrections. We have determined that the change, addition, and minor
corrections:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM or supplemental NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM or supplemental NPRM.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 1,264 airplanes in the U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to do the inspection:
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Total cost per Total cost on
Labor cost Parts cost airplane U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.5 work-hours x $80 per hour = $120............................ $0 $120 $151,680
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We estimate the following costs to do the repair/modification:
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Total cost per Total cost on
Labor cost Parts cost airplane U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24 work-hours x $80 per hour = $1,920........................... $80 $2,000 $2,528,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The estimated total cost on U.S. operators includes the cumulative
costs associated with AD 2007-13-17 and those airplanes and actions
being added in this AD.
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-2007-0258; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-090-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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2007-13-17, Amendment 39-15121 (72 FR 36863, July 6, 2007), and adding
the following new AD:
2008-10-12 Air Tractor, Inc.: Amendment 39-15518; Docket No. FAA-
2007-0258; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-090-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective on June 12, 2008.
[[Page 25969]]
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2007-13-17, Amendment 39-15121.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the following airplane models and serial
numbers that are certificated in any category:
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Models Serial Nos.
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AT-400, AT-400A, AT-402, AT-402A, -0001 through -1175.
and AT-402B.
AT-502, AT-502A, AT-502B, and AT- -0001 through -2597.
503A.
AT-602............................. -0001 through -1141.
AT-802 and AT-802A................. -0001 through -0227.
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Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report of a Model AT-502B airplane
with a crack located where the lower engine mount tube is welded to
the engine mount ring. The airplane had 8,436 total hours time-in-
service (TIS). We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks
in the engine mount, which could result in failure of the engine
mount. Such failure could lead to separation of the engine from the
airplane.
Compliance
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless
already done:
(1) For all airplanes with less than 5,000 hours total TIS that
do not have gussets installed on the engine mount in accordance with
Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #253 Rev. A, dated October 16,
2007; Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #253 Rev. B, dated
November 30, 2007; or Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #253 Rev.
C, dated April 17, 2008: Visually inspect the engine mount as
follows:
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Affected airplanes Compliance Procedures
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(i) For all Models AT-602, Initially before the Follow one of the
AT-802, and AT-802A airplane reaches a following:
airplanes. total of 1,300 (A) Snow Engineering
hours TIS or within Co. Service Letter
the next 100 hours 253, Rev.
TIS after August C, dated April 17,
10, 2007 (the 2008;
effective date of (B) Snow Engineering
AD 2007-13-17), Co. Service Letter
whichever occurs 253, Rev.
later. Repetitively B, dated November
thereafter at 30, 2007;
intervals not to (C) Snow Engineering
exceed 300 hours Co. Service Letter
TIS. 253, Rev.
A, dated October
16, 2007;
or
(D) Snow Engineering
Co. Service Letter
253,
revised January 22,
2007.
(ii) For all Model AT-502A Initially before the Follow one of the
airplanes. airplane reaches a following:
total of 1,300 (A) Snow Engineering
hours TIS or within Co. Service Letter
the next 100 hours 253, Rev.
TIS after June 12, C, dated April 17,
2008 (the effective 2008; or
date of this AD), (B) Snow Engineering
whichever occurs Co. Service Letter
later. Repetitively 253, Rev.
thereafter at B, dated November
intervals not to 30, 2007.
exceed 300 hours
TIS.
(iii) For all Models AT-400, Initially within the Follow one of the
AT-400A, AT-402, AT-402A, next 12 months following:
AT-402B, AT-502, AT-502B, after June 12, 2008 (A) Snow Engineering
and AT-503A airplanes. (the effective date Co. Service Letter
of this AD). 253, Rev.
Repetitively C, dated April 17,
thereafter at 2008; or
intervals not to (B) Snow Engineering
exceed 12 months. Co. Service Letter
253, Rev.
B, dated November
30, 2007.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) For all airplanes: Before further flight after any
inspection required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD where crack
damage is found, repair and modify the engine mount by installing
gussets following Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter 253,
Rev. C, dated April 17, 2008; or Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter
253, Rev. B, dated November 30, 2007. This modification
terminates the repetitive inspections required in paragraphs
(e)(1)(i), (e)(1)(ii), and (e)(1)(iii) of this AD.
(3) For all airplanes: Unless already done (mandated by
paragraph (e)(2) of this AD when crack damage was found) inspect,
repair if cracked, and modify the engine mount by installing gussets
following Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter 253, Rev. C,
dated April 17, 2008; or Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter
253, Rev. B, dated November 30, 2007, at whichever of the
following compliance times that occurs later. This modification
terminates the repetitive inspections required in paragraphs
(e)(1)(i), (e)(1)(ii), and (e)(1)(iii) of this AD.
(i) Before the airplane reaches 5,000 hours total TIS; or
(ii) Within the next 100 hours TIS after June 12, 2008 (the
effective date of this AD).
(4) For all airplanes: You may delay the modification specified
in paragraph (e)(3) above until April 30, 2009, provided you do the
following in accordance with the service information provided in the
Procedures column of the table presented in paragraph (e)(1) of this
AD:
(i) Initially inspect upon reaching the applicable time in
paragraph (e)(3)(i) or (e)(3)(ii) of this AD, unless already done
within the last 100 hours TIS;
(ii) Repetitively inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed
100 hours TIS; and
(iii) If cracks are found during any inspection, before further
flight, repair the cracked part and install the gussets.
Note: As a terminating action to the repetitive inspections
required in paragraphs (e)(1)(i), (e)(1)(ii), and (e)(1)(iii) of
this AD, you may install the gussets before finding cracks or
reaching the times specified above provided you inspect to assure
the area is crack free before installing the gussets.
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: Andy
McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer, ASW-150, FAA San Antonio MIDO-43, 10100
Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio, Texas 78216; phone: (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.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(g) You must use Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter
253, Rev. C, dated April 17, 2008; Snow Engineering Co.
Service Letter 253, Rev. B, dated November 30, 2007; Snow
Engineering Co. Service Letter 253, Rev. A, dated October
16, 2007; or Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter 253,
revised January 22, 2007, to do the actions required
[[Page 25970]]
by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter
253, Rev. C, dated April 17, 2008; Snow Engineering Co.
Service Letter 253, Rev. B, dated November 30, 2007; and
Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter 253 Rev. A, dated
October 16, 2007, under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) On August 10, 2007 (72 FR 36863, July 6, 2007), the Director
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of
Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter 253, revised January
22, 2007.
(3) 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.
(4) 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 30, 2008.
Patrick R. Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-9925 Filed 5-7-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
