[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 129 (Friday, July 6, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36863-36866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12627]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27212; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-011-AD; 
Amendment 39-15121; AD 2007-13-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Air Tractor, Inc. Models AT-602, AT-
802, and AT-802A Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
supersedes AD 2006-22-08, which

[[Page 36864]]

applies to all Air Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Models AT-602, AT-802, 
and AT-802A airplanes. AD 2006-22-08 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 2006-22-08, the FAA has received reports of two Model AT-
802A airplanes with cracked engine mounts below the initial compliance 
time in AD 2006-22-08. The FAA has determined that an initial 
inspection is required when the airplane reaches a total of 1,300 hours 
time-in-service (TIS) instead of 4,000 hours TIS required by AD 2006-
22-08. Consequently, this AD retains the actions of AD 2006-22-08 while 
requiring the initial inspection when the airplane reaches a total of 
1,300 hours 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.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on August 10, 2007.
    On August 10, 2007, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this 
AD.

ADDRESSES: To get the service information identified in this AD, 
contact Air Tractor, Inc., P.O. Box 485, Olney, Texas 76374; telephone: 
(940) 564-5616; facsimile: (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 
http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2007-27212; Directorate 
Identifier 2007-CE-011-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer, 
ASW-150 (c/o MIDO-43), 10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio, 
Texas 78216; telephone: (210) 308-3365; facsimile: (210) 308-3370.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On March 8, 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 Models AT-602, AT-802, and AT-802A 
airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on March 15, 2007 (72 FR 12131). 
The NPRM proposed to retain the actions of AD 2006-22-08 while 
requiring the initial inspection at 1,300 hours TIS.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
and FAA's response to each comment:

Comment Issue No. 1: Installation of a Welded Gusset Is Terminating 
Action for the Proposed Inspections

    Leland Snow, President of Air Tractor, Inc., believes that Snow 
Engineering Co. Report Number 1727, Revision A, dated April 12, 2007 
(referred to after this as Report 1727), justifies terminating action 
for the proposed inspections. Mr. Snow states that installation of a 
welded gusset following Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter 
253, dated December 12, 2005, revised January 22, 2007, would 
eliminate the need for such inspections.
    Based on the information presented in Report 1727, the FAA finds 
that the installation of the welded gusset does not fully address the 
unsafe condition and cannot be considered as a terminating action for 
the repetitive inspection.
    We are making no changes to the final rule AD action based on this 
comment.

Comment Issue No. 2: FAA Has Overstated the Consequences of Cracks in 
the Engine Mount

    Mr. Snow also states that the FAA overstates the events that would 
occur should cracks found in service result in the engine mount tube 
separating from the engine mount ring. He also states that the engine 
mount ring would remain attached to the remaining tube connections and 
prevent the engine from separating from the airplane.
    The commenter did not provide any analysis or data to show that 
this situation would not occur. Based on the FAA's evaluation of the 
unsafe condition, we believe there is potential for the engine mount 
tube to separate from the engine mount ring.
    Without the data to show that the engine mount ring would remain 
attached to the remaining tube connections, the FAA cannot change the 
potential end result condition of the engine separating from the 
airplane.
    We are not changing the final rule AD action as a result of these 
comments.

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 minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these 
minor corrections:
     Are consistent with 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 368 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to do each required inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Total cost on
                                                                              Total cost per     U.S. operators
                 Labor cost                            Parts cost              airplane per       for initial
                                                                                inspection         inspection
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.5 work-hours x $80 per hour = $120.......  Not Applicable...............              $120            $44,160
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need 
replacement of the engine mount. We estimate the following costs to do 
the replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Total cost per
            Labor cost                  Parts cost        airplane per
                                                          replacement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
81 work-hours x $80 per hour =                $3,982            $10,462
 $6,480...........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 36865]]

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-2007-27212; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-011-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) 
2006-22-08, Amendment 39-14805 (71 FR 62910, October 27, 2006), and 
adding the following new AD:

2007-13-17 Air Tractor, Inc.: Amendment 39-15121; Docket No. FAA-
2007-27212; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-011-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective on August 10, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2006-22-08, Amendment 39-14805.

Applicability

    (c) This AD affects all Models AT-602, AT-802, and AT-802A 
airplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any 
category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of two Model AT-802A airplanes 
with cracked engine mounts (at 2,815 hours time-in-service (TIS) and 
1,900 hours TIS) below the initial compliance time in AD 2006-22-08. 
The FAA has determined that an initial inspection when the airplane 
reaches a total of 1,300 hours TIS is required instead of 4,000 
hours TIS as required by AD 2006-22-08. 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:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Actions                             Compliance                            Procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Visually inspect the engine       Initially inspect when the airplane   Follow Snow Engineering Co. Service
 mount for any cracks.                 reaches a total of 1,300 hours TIS    Letter 253, dated December
                                       or within the next 100 hours TIS      12, 2005, revised January 22, 2007.
                                       after August 10, 2007 (the
                                       effective date of this AD),
                                       whichever occurs later, unless
                                       already done. Thereafter, inspect
                                       repetitively at intervals not to
                                       exceed 300 hours TIS.
(2) If you find any crack damage, do  Before further flight after any       For obtaining a repair scheme or
 the following:                        inspection required by paragraph      replacement procedure: Contact Air
(i) Obtain an FAA-approved repair      (e)(1) of this AD where crack         Tractor Inc., P.O. Box 485, Olney,
 scheme or replacement procedure       damage is found. If you repair the    Texas 76374; telephone: (940) 564-
 from the manufacturer; and            cracked engine mount, then continue   5616; facsimile: (940) 564-5612.
(ii) Repair following the FAA-         to reinspect at intervals not to
 approved repair scheme or replace     exceed 300 hours TIS, unless the
 the engine mount with a new engine    repair scheme states differently.
 mount following the replacement       If you replace the engine mount,
 procedure.                            then initially inspect upon
                                       accumulating 1,300 hours TIS and
                                       repetitively at intervals not to
                                       exceed 300 hours TIS.
(3) Report any cracks that you find   Within the next 30 days after you     The Office of Management and Budget
 to the FAA at the address specified   find the cracks or within the next    (OMB) approved the information
 in paragraph (f) of this AD.          30 days after August 10, 2007 (the    collection requirements contained
 Include in your report:               effective date of this AD),           in this regulation under the
(i) Airplane serial number;            whichever occurs later.               provisions of the Paperwork
(ii) Airplane hours TIS and engine                                           Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C.
 mount hours TIS;                                                            3501 et seq.) and assigned OMB
(iii) Crack location(s) and size(s);                                         Control Number 2120-0056.
(iv) Corrective action taken; and
(v) Point of contact name and
 telephone number.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 36866]]

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: 
Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer, ASW-150 (c/o MIDO-43), 10100 
Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio, Texas 78216; telephone: (210) 
308-3365; facsimile: (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.
    (g) AMOCs approved for AD 2006-22-08 are not approved for this 
AD.

Related Information

    (h) To get copies of the service information referenced in this 
AD, contact Air Tractor Inc., P.O. Box 485, Olney, Texas 76374; 
telephone: (940) 564-5616; facsimile: (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 http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is Docket No. FAA-2007-27212; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-011-AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter 
253, dated December 12, 2005, revised January 22, 2007, to 
do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies 
otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Air 
Tractor Inc., P.O. Box 485, Olney, Texas 76374; telephone: (940) 
564-5616; facsimile: (940) 564-5612.
    (3) 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: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 22, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-12627 Filed 7-5-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P