[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 232 (Thursday, December 3, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66743-66744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32046]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-62-AD; Amendment 39-10922; AD 98-25-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Air Tractor, Inc. AT-300, AT-400, and
AT-500 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 96-23-
19, which currently requires installing a new flap actuator overtravel
stop and a roll pin through the overtravel stop and jack screw on
certain Air Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Models AT-300, AT-400, and AT-
500 series airplanes. This AD requires replacing the existing flap
actuator overtravel stop with a new one of improved design. This AD is
the result of reports of the jack screw breaking through the roll pin
hole on three of the affected airplanes that were already in compliance
with AD 96-23-19. The actions specified by this AD are intended to
prevent interference between the flap pushrod and the aileron pushrod
caused by the flap actuator overtravel nut disengaging, which could
result in loss of aileron control.
DATES: Effective January 19, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of January 19, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from Air Tractor, Inc., P. O. Box 485, Olney, Texas 76374. This
information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 98-CE-62-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North
Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bob May, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Aircraft Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth,
Texas 76193-0150; telephone: (817) 222-5156; facsimile: (817) 222-5960.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Air Tractor
AT-300, AT-400, and AT-500 series airplanes was published in the
Federal Register on July 21, 1998 (63 FR 39053). The NPRM proposed to
supersede AD 96-23-19, Amendment 39-9823 (61 FR 58985, November 11,
1996), which currently requires installing a new flap actuator
overtravel stop and a roll pin through the overtravel stop and jack
screw on the affected airplanes.
The proposed AD would require replacing the existing flap actuator
overtravel stop with a new one of improved design, part number (P/N)
70975-1. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM
would be in accordance with Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #165,
dated May 15, 1998.
The NPRM was the result of reports of the jack screw breaking
through the roll pin hole on three of the affected airplanes that were
already in compliance with AD 96-23-19.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
The FAA's Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 1,250 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 workhours per
airplane to accomplish the replacement, and that the average labor rate
is approximately $60 an hour. The manufacturer will supply parts at no
cost to the owners/operators of the affected airplanes. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $150,000, or $120 per airplane.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a
significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy
[[Page 66744]]
of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location
provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing airworthiness directive
(AD) 96-23-19, Amendment 39-9823 (61 FR 58985, November 11, 1996), and
by adding a new AD to read as follows:
98-25-01 Air Tractor, Inc.: Amendment 39-10922; Docket No. 98-CE-
62-AD; Supersedes AD 96-23-19, Amendment 39-9823.
Applicability: The following model and serial numbered
airplanes, certificated in any category, that do not have a part
number (P/N) 70975-1 flap actuator overtravel stop installed in
accordance with the REWORK INSTRUCTIONS section of Snow Engineering
Co. Service Letter #165, dated May 15, 1998:
Models AT-300, AT-301, AT-302, AT-400, AT-400A, AT-401, AT-401A,
AT-401B, AT-402, AT-402A, and AT-402B airplanes, serial numbers 300-
0001 through 401B-1063; and
Models AT-501, AT-502, AT-502A, AT-502B, and AT-503A airplanes,
serial numbers 502-0001 through 502B-0500.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required within the next 50 hours time-in-service
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent interference between the flap pushrod and the aileron
pushrod caused by the flap actuator overtravel nut disengaging,
which could result in loss of aileron control, accomplish the
following:
(a) Replace the existing flap actuator overtravel stop with a
new one of improved design, P/N 70975-1. Accomplish this replacement
in accordance with the REWORK INSTRUCTIONS section of Snow
Engineering Co. Service Letter #165, dated May 15, 1998.
(b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office
(ACO), 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150.
(1) The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Fort Worth ACO.
(2) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance
with AD 96-23-19 are not considered approved as alternative methods
of compliance for this AD.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Fort Worth ACO.
(d) The replacement required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #165, dated May
15, 1998. This incorporation by reference was approved by the
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Air Tractor Inc.,
P.O. Box 485, Olney, Texas 76374. Copies may be inspected at the
FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601
E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700,
Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment supersedes AD 96-23-19, Amendment 39-9823.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on January 19, 1999.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 24, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-32046 Filed 12-2-98; 8:45 am]
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