[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 148 (Thursday, August 1, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49861-49862]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-19257]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-76-AD; Amendment 39-12834; AD 2002-15-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Air Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Models AT-802 and 
AT-802A airplanes. This AD requires you to replace the rudder control 
cables and fairleads with parts of improved design. This 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 AD are intended to 
prevent the rudder control cable from breaking because of the rudder 
control cables wearing in the fairlead area. Broken rudder control 
cables could result in loss of rudder control.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on September 13, 2002.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of 
September 13, 2002.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from Air Tractor, Inc., PO Box 485, Olney, Texas 76374. You may view 
this information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 
2000-CE-76-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, 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: 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:

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This AD?

    The FAA received reports of the rudder control cables wearing at 
the aft fairlead area on Air Tractor Models AT-802 and AT-802A 
airplanes. In one instance, the rudder cable broke on a Model AT-802 
airplane.
    Air Tractor 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 Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took No Action?

    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.

Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?

    We issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to 
certain Air Tractor Models AT-802 and AT-802A airplanes. This proposal 
was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) on March 20, 2002 (67 FR 12914). The NPRM proposed to 
replace the rudder control cables and fairleads with parts of improved 
design.

Was the Public Invited To Comment?

    The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making 
of this amendment. We did not receive any comments on the proposed rule 
or on our determination of the cost to the public.

FAA's Determination

What Is FAA's Final Determination on This Issue?

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, we have determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor 
corrections:

--Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the 
unsafe condition; and
--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed in the NPRM.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Does This AD Impact?

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

What Is the Cost Impact of This AD on Owners/Operators of the Affected 
Airplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the modification:

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


[[Page 49862]]

Regulatory Impact

Does This AD Impact Various Entities?

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

Does This 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) 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 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, 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

    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 AD to read as follows:

2002-15-06  Air Tractor, Inc.: Amendment 39-12834; Docket No. 2000-
CE-76-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Models 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 the rudder control cable from 
breaking because of the rudder control cables wearing in the 
fairlead area. Broken rudder control cables could 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 control    Within the next     Accomplish the
 cables and fairlead with part     500 hours time-in-  replacements in
 numbers 70524-10-500 or 70524-6-  service (TIS)       accordance with
 500, and 70122-1, as specified    after September     Snow Engineering
 in the service letter.            13, 2002 (the       Company Service
                                   effective date of   Letter #199,
                                   this AD), unless    dated May 30,
                                   already             2000, and the
                                   accomplished.       applicable
                                                       drawing number
                                                       70523 of the
                                                       replacement kit,
                                                       as specified in
                                                       the service
                                                       letter.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Do not install any rudder     As of September     Not Applicable.
 control cable that does not       13, 2002 (the
 have a stainless steel sleeve     effective date of
 crimped to the cable in the       this AD).
 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) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Snow Engineering Company Service Letter # 199, dated May 30, 
2000. The Director of the Federal Register approved this 
incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
You may get copies from Air Tractor, Inc., PO Box 485, Olney, Texas 
76374. You may view copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
Suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on September 13, 2002.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 24, 2002.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-19257 Filed 7-31-02; 8:45 am]
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