[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 153 (Thursday, August 7, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45900-45902]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-18228]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0854; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-050-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Allied Ag Cat Productions, Inc. G-164 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 78-08-09, 
which applies to certain Allied Ag Cat Productions, Inc. (formerly 
Grumman-American) Models G-164, G-164A, and G-164B airplanes. AD 78-08-
09 currently requires repetitively inspecting the interior and the 
exterior of the main tubular spar of the rudder assembly for corrosion, 
taking necessary corrective action if corrosion is found, and applying 
corrosion protection. Since we issued AD 78-08-09, the rudder main 
tubular spar failed on a later production airplane. Consequently, this 
proposed AD would retain the actions required in AD 78-08-09 and expand 
the applicability to include all G-164 series airplanes. We are 
proposing this AD to detect and correct corrosion in the rudder main 
tubular spar, which could result in failure of the weld to the main 
spar tube. This failure could lead to loss of directional control.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 6, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Grumman American Aviation Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, Georgia 
31402; telephone: (912) 964-3000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andy McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer, ASW-
150, FAA San Antonio MIDO-43, 10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, San 
Antonio, Texas 78216, phone: (210) 308-3365, fax: (210) 308-3370.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, ``FAA-
2008-0854; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-050-AD'' at the beginning of 
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may 
amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

    Excessive corrosion on the main tubular spar, part number A1203-11, 
of the rudder assembly resulting from moisture accumulating in the 
lower internal cavity on Allied Ag Cat Productions, Inc. (formerly 
Grumman-American) Models G-164, G-164A, and G-164B airplanes caused us 
to issue AD 78-08-09, Amendment 39-3191. AD 78-08-09 currently requires 
the following on certain Models G-164, G-164A, and G-164B airplanes:
     Repetitively inspecting the rudder main tubular spar for 
corrosion;
     Repairing any corrosion found; and
     Applying corrosion protection.
    AD 78-08-09 applies only to early production Allied Ag Cat 
airplanes. In March 2008, the rudder main tubular spar failed on a 
Model G164B airplane, serial number 586B (not affected by AD 78-08-09). 
The spar failed where the lower fitting is welded to the main tube. 
Investigation revealed that the failure was a result of severe internal 
corrosion caused by moisture trapped in the lower internal cavity of 
the spar tube.
    AD 78-08-09 does not establish a way to identify affected rudders. 
It is a common practice to repair agricultural airplanes with repaired 
or used serviceable parts from other sources, or using removed parts 
from other airplanes. Based on the lack of traceability, rudders 
affected by AD 78-08-09 are potentially being installed on

[[Page 45901]]

Allied Ag Cat model airplanes not affected by AD 78-08-09. Also, many 
rudders have been modified to ``tall'' rudders by supplemental type 
certificate (STC), or replaced with aftermarket rudders, which all have 
the same corrosion susceptible design as the original earlier 
production rudders.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in 
failure of the rudder main spar tubular spar. This failure could lead 
to loss of directional control.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Grumman American Aviation Corporation Ag-Cat 
Service Bulletin No. 61, dated June 6, 1977.
    The service information specifies:
     Repetitively inspecting the main tubular spar for 
corrosion;
     Repairing any corrosion found; and
     Applying corrosion protection.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and 
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other products of the same type design. This proposed AD 
would supersede AD 78-08-09 with a new AD that would retain the actions 
required in AD 78-08-09 and expand the applicability to include all G-
164 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to use the 
service information described previously to perform these actions.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 2,700 airplanes in 
the U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed inspections:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Total cost per   Total cost on
                  Labor cost                              Parts cost                airplane      U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 work-hours x $80 per hour = $320...........  Not applicable.................            $320         $864,000
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    We have no way of determining the cost of repairs or parts 
replacement or the number of airplanes that may require repair or part 
replacement based on the result of the proposed inspections.

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 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed 
regulation:
    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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket 
Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) 
is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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 FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive 
(AD)
    78-08-09, Amendment 39-3191, and adding the following new AD:

Allied Ag Cat Productions, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2008-0854; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-050-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) action by October 6, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 78-08-09, Amendment 39-3191.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the following airplane models, all serial 
numbers, that are certificated in any category:

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                                 Models
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G-164, G-164A, G-164B, G-164B with 73'', G-164B-15T, G-164B-34T, G-164B-
 20T, G-164C, G-164D, and G-164D with 73'' wing gap.
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[[Page 45902]]

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of the rudder main tubular 
spar failing on a later production airplane. We are issuing this AD 
to detect and correct corrosion in the rudder main tubular spar, 
which could result in failure of the weld to the main spar tube. 
This failure could lead to loss of directional control.

Compliance

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless 
already done:

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             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
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(1) Drill an access hole and do   (i) For airplanes   Following Steps 1
 a borescope visual inspection     previously          through 3 of
 of the lower end internal         affected by AD 78-  Grumman American
 cavity of the rudder main spar    08-09: Initially    Aviation
 tube for corrosion and do a       inspect within      Corporation Ag-
 visual inspection of the          the next 60         Cat Service
 exterior of the rudder main       months after the    Bulletin No. 61,
 spar tube for corrosion.          last inspection     dated June 6,
                                   required in AD 78-  1977.
                                   08-09 or within
                                   the next 30 days
                                   after the
                                   effective date of
                                   this AD,
                                   whichever occurs
                                   later.
                                   Repetitively
                                   inspect
                                   thereafter at
                                   intervals not to
                                   exceed 60
                                   calendar months.
                                  (ii) For airplanes
                                   not previously
                                   affected by AD 78-
                                   08-09: Initially
                                   inspect within
                                   the next 30 days
                                   after the
                                   effective date of
                                   this AD.
                                   Repetitively
                                   inspect
                                   thereafter at
                                   intervals not to
                                   exceed 60
                                   calendar months.
(2) If corrosion is found during  Before further      As specified in
 any inspection required in        flight after any    Steps 5 and 6 of
 paragraph (e)(1) of this AD,      inspection in       Grumman American
 repair in accordance with         which corrosion     Aviation
 Advisory Circular 43.13-1B or     is found.           Corporation Ag-
 equivalent, or replace the                            Cat Service
 damaged part(s).                                      Bulletin No. 61,
                                                       dated June 6,
                                                       1977. Following
                                                       Advisory Circular
                                                       43.13-1B or
                                                       equivalent, and
                                                       an FAA-approved
                                                       procedure. The
                                                       appropriate
                                                       maintenance
                                                       manual contains
                                                       these procedures.
(3) After each inspection and     Before further      As specified in
 repair or replacement required    flight after any    Step 4 of Grumman
 in this AD, corrosion protect     inspection          American Aviation
 the spar tube internal cavity     required in         Corporation Ag-
 by filling with warm, raw         paragraph (e)(1)    Cat Service
 linseed oil, Paralketone, or      of this AD and      Bulletin No. 61,
 CRC3 (LPS Heavy Duty Rust         after any repair    dated June 6,
 Inhibitor Type 3), or suitable    or replacement      1977.
 equivalent protector for alloy    required in
 steel, and allow to drain. Seal   paragraph (e)(2)
 access hole with Scotch           of this AD.
 caulking compound, or suitable
 silicone based sealant, or
 equivalent.
(4) Verify rigging check of the   Before further      Following an FAA-
 rudder.                           flight after any    approved
                                   inspection          procedure. The
                                   required in         appropriate
                                   paragraph (e)(1)    maintenance
                                   of this AD and      manual contains
                                   after any repair    these procedures.
                                   or replacement
                                   required in
                                   paragraph (e)(2)
                                   of this AD.
(5) Only install a rudder that    As of the next 30   Not applicable.
 has been inspected as specified   days after the
 in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD,   effective date of
 is free of corrosion, and has     this AD.
 had the corrosion protection
 applied and sealed as specified
 in paragraph (e)(3) of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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: Andy 
McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer, ASW-150, FAA San Antonio MIDO-43, 10100 
Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio, Texas 78216, phone: (210) 
308-3365; fax: (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 78-08-09 are not approved for this AD.

Related Information

    (h) To get copies of the service information referenced in this 
AD, contact Grumman American Aviation Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, 
Savannah, Georgia 31402. 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://www.regulations.gov.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 1, 2008.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-18228 Filed 8-6-08; 8:45 am]
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