[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 20, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12914-12916]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-6628]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-76-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Air Tractor, Inc. Model AT-802 and AT-
802A Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to certain Air Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Model 
AT-802 and AT-802A airplanes. This

[[Page 12915]]

proposed AD would require you to replace the rudder control cables and 
fairleads with parts of improved design. This proposed AD is the result 
of a report that a rudder control cable broke because of wear at the 
aft fairlead. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to 
prevent wear of the rudder control cables at the fairlead, which could 
cause the rudder control cable to break and result in loss of rudder 
control.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this rule on or before May 17, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-76-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any 
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also send comments 
electronically to the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments sent electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2000-CE-76-AD'' 
in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached 
electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for 
Windows or ASCII text.
    You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD 
from Air Tractor, Incorporated, P.O. Box 485, Olney, Texas 76374. You 
may also view this information at the Rules Docket at the address 
above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Garry D. Sills, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150; telephone: (817) 222-5154; facsimile: 
(817) 222-5960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How Do I Comment on This Proposed AD?

    The FAA invites comments on this proposed rule. You may submit 
whatever written data, views, or arguments you choose. You need to 
include the rule's docket number and submit your comments to the 
address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all 
comments received on or before the closing date. We may amend this 
proposed rule in light of comments received. Factual information that 
supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of this proposed AD action and determining whether we 
need to take additional rulemaking action.

Are There Any Specific Portions of This Proposed AD I Should Pay 
Attention to?

    The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed rule that 
might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may view all comments we 
receive before and after the closing date of the rule in the Rules 
Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each 
contact we have with the public that concerns the substantive parts of 
this proposed AD.

How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment?

    If you want FAA to acknowledge the receipt of your mailed comments, 
you must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, 
write ``Comments to Docket No. 2000-CE-76-AD.'' We will date stamp and 
mail the postcard back to you.

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This Proposed AD?

    The FAA received reports of the rudder control cables wearing at 
the aft fairlead area on Air Tractor Model AT-802 and AT-802A 
airplanes. In one instance the rudder cable broke on a Model AT-802 
airplane.
    The manufacturer has designed a new cable that incorporates a 
stainless steel sleeve that is crimped to the cable in the fairlead 
area. The stainless steel sleeve is intended to prevent wear of the new 
cable in that area.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    If this condition is not corrected, rudder control cables may wear 
and break at the fairlead area. Broken rudder control cables could 
result in loss of rudder control.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    Air Tractor has issued Snow Engineering Company Service Letter # 
199, dated May 30, 2000.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Bulletin?

    The service bulletin includes procedures for installing the 
improved design rudder control cables and fairleads.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of 
this Proposed AD

What Has FAA Decided?

    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the incidents described above, we have 
determined that:

--the unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on other Air Tractor Model AT-802 and AT-802A airplanes of the 
same type design;
--the actions specified in the previously-referenced service 
information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.

What Would This Proposed AD Require?

    This proposed AD would require you to install the improved design 
rudder control cables and fairleads.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would This Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 81 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.

What Would Be the Cost Impact of This Proposed AD on Owners/Operators 
of the Affected Airplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed 
modification:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Total cost    Total cost
          Labor cost             Parts cost        per         on U.S.
                                                airplane      operators
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours  x  $60 per hour =         $300          $420       $34,020
 $120.........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 12916]]

Regulatory Impact

Would This Proposed AD Impact Various Entities?

    The regulations proposed herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this proposed rule would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.

Would This Proposed AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    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) if promulgated, 
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 draft regulatory evaluation 
prepared for this action has been placed in the Rules Docket. A copy 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

Air Tractor, Inc.: Docket No. 2000-CE-76-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Model AT-802 and AT-802A airplanes, serial numbers 802-0001 through 
802-0081, that are certificated in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must 
comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent wear of the rudder control cables at 
the fairlead, which could cause the rudder control cable to break 
and result in loss of rudder control.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Replace the rudder        Within the next 500   Accomplish the
 control cables and fairlead   hours time-in-        replacements in
 with part numbers 70524-10-   service (TIS) after   accordance with
 500 or 70524-6-500, and       the effective date    Snow Engineering
 70122-1, as specified in      of this AD, unless    Company Service
 the service letter.           already               Letter # 199, dated
                               accomplished.         May 30, 2000, and
                                                     applicable drawing
                                                     number 70523 of the
                                                     replacement kit, as
                                                     specified in the
                                                     service letter.
(2) Do not install any        Not Applicable......  Not Applicable.
 rudder control cable that
 does not have a stainless
 steel sleeve crimped to the
 cable in the fairlead area.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office (ACO), 
approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Fort Worth ACO.

    Note: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, 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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific 
actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Garry D. Sills, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, 2601 
Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150; telephone: (817) 
222-5154; facsimile: (817) 222-5960.
    (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? 
You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from Air 
Tractor, Incorporated, P.O. Box 485, Olney, Texas 76374. You may 
view these documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 12, 2002.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-6628 Filed 3-19-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P