[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 168 (Thursday, August 29, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55360-55362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-22002]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-60-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Air Tractor, Inc. Models AT-250, AT-
300, AT-301, AT-302, AT-400, AT-400A, AT-401, AT-401A, AT-402, AT-402A, 
AT-501, AT-502, and AT-502A 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) Models 
AT-250, AT-300, AT-301, AT-302, AT-400, AT-400A, AT-401, AT-401A, AT-
402, AT-402A, AT-501, AT-502, and AT-502A airplanes. This proposed AD 
would require you to install an overturn skid plate in the cockpit 
area. This proposed AD is the result of reports of foreign material 
entering the cabin area and contributing to accidents of the affected 
airplanes. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to 
minimize the possibility of dirt or mud penetrating the cockpit. Such 
mud and dirt penetration into the cockpit could lead to pilot asphyxia 
or injury.

[[Page 55361]]


DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before November 4, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-60-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-60-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, Inc., 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: Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150; telephone: (817) 222-5156; 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-60-AD.'' We will date stamp and 
mail the postcard back to you.

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This Proposed AD?

    The FAA has received accident reports on Air Tractor Models AT-301 
and AT-401 airplanes. The reports indicate that the aircraft skids tail 
first after an overturn, the windshield and curved overturn tube act as 
a scoop, foreign material enters the cockpit if the top of the canopy 
is damaged, and this foreign material then enters into the cabin area 
and possibly contributes to pilot deaths.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    Such mud and dirt penetration into the cockpit could lead to pilot 
asphyxia or injury.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    Air Tractor has issued Snow Engineering Company Service Letter 
97, dated March 23, 1991, Revised October 3, 2000.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?

    The service bulletin includes procedures for installing a cockpit 
overturn skid plate.

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 Models AT-250, AT-300, AT-301, AT-
302, AT-400, AT-400A, AT-401, AT-401A, AT-402, AT-402A, AT-501, AT-502, 
and AT-502A 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 incorporate the actions in 
the previously-referenced service bulletin.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would This Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 845 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 on U.S.
         Labor cost                   Parts cost            Total cost per airplane            operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     6 workhour x $60 per                         $300                        $660       $845 x 660 = $557,700
                 hour=$360
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Compliance Time of This Proposed AD

What Would Be the Compliance Time of This Proposed AD?

    The compliance time of this proposed AD is within the next 180 days 
after the effective date of this AD.

Why Is the Proposed Compliance Time Presented in Calendar Time Instead 
of Hours Time-in-Service (TIS)?

    Although an accident where the aircraft skids tail first after an 
overturn could occur on the affected airplanes during airplane 
operation, the condition is not directly related to airplane usage. The 
condition exists on the airplanes regardless of whether the airplane 
has accumulated 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 5,000 hours TIS.
    The FAA has determined that the 180-day compliance time:
     Gives all owners/operators of the affected airplanes 
adequate time to schedule and accomplish the actions in this proposed 
AD; and
     Assures that the unsafe condition referenced in this 
proposed AD will be

[[Page 55362]]

corrected within a reasonable time period without inadvertently 
grounding any of the affected airplanes.

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 proposed 
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-60-AD

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the 
following airplane models and serial numbers that are certificated 
in any category;

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Models                             Serial No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AT-250, AT-300, AT-301, AT-302, AT-400,  All through 0829.
 AT-400A, AT-401, AT-401A, AT-402, and
 AT-402A.
AT-501, AT-502, and AT-502A............  All through 0147.
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    (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 minimize the possibility of dirt or mud 
penetrating the cockpit. Such mud and dirt penetration into the 
cockpit could lead to pilot asphyxia or injury.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Install overturn skid plate,  Within the next 180   In accordance with
 part number (P/N) 11411-1-    days after the        Snow Engineering
 500, or FAA-approved          effective date of     Company Service
 equivalent P/N.               this AD, unless       Letter 97,
                               already               dated March 23,
                               accomplished.         1991, Revised
                                                     October 3, 2000,
                                                     and the applicable
                                                     maintenance manual.
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    (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 Aircraft Certification Office, 
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 Aircraft Certification Office.

    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 Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, 2601 
Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150; telephone: (817) 
222-5156; 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, Inc., 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 August 21, 2002.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-22002 Filed 8-28-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P