[Federal Register: December 23, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 246)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 78156-78158]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23de02-6]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2000-CE-60-AD; Amendment 39-12985; AD 2002-25-09]
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: 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-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 AD requires you to install
an overturn skid plate in the cockpit area. This AD is the result of
reports of foreign material entering the cabin area during an overturn
skid of the affected airplanes. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to minimize the possibility of dirt or mud penetrating the
cockpit in case of an aircraft overturn. Such mud and dirt penetration
into the cockpit could lead to pilot asphyxia or injury.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on February 10, 2003.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of
February 10, 2003.
ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD
from Air Tractor, Inc., P.O. 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-60-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: 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:
Discussion
What events have caused this 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.
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-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 proposal was
published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM) on August 29, 2002 (67 FR 55360). The NPRM proposed to require
you to install an overturn skid plate in the cockpit area. The actions
specified by this proposed AD are intended to minimize the possibility
of dirt or mud penetrating the cockpit in case of an aircraft overturn.
What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Such mud and
dirt penetration into the cockpit could lead to pilot asphyxia or
injury.
Was the public invited to comment? The FAA encouraged interested
persons to participate in the making of this amendment. The following
presents the comments received on the proposal and FAA's response to
each comment:
[[Page 78157]]
Comment Issue No. 1: Remove the Air Tractor Model AT-502A Designation
From the Applicability
What is the commenter's concern? The commenter states that the Air
Tractor Model AT-502A airplanes did not start production until after
serial numbers applicable to the AD. Furthermore, the commenter states
skid plates were installed on all Model AT-502A airplanes during
factory production. The commenter wants Air Tractor Model AT-502A
airplanes removed from the applicability section of the final rule AD
action.
What is FAA's response to the concern? We do not concur. Air
Tractor confirms that there is the possibility of one Model AT-502A
airplane (converted from an early production AT-503, and with one of
the affected serial numbers) in operation that did not receive the skid
plate installation.
We are not changing the final rule AD action based on this comment.
Comment Issue No. 2: Correct Wording in the Summary and Related AD
Section
What is the commenter's concern? The commenter states that the
following sentence in the NPRM Summary and proposed AD paragraph 2(c)
is misleading: ``The proposed AD is the result of reports of foreign
material entering the cabin area and contributing to accidents of the
affected airplanes.'' The commenter states that the sentence is
misleading in that it implies that entering foreign material has caused
an accident and does not indicate that an accident (an overturn of the
aircraft) has already occurred. The commenter wants the sentence
corrected to indicate the possibility of foreign material entering the
cockpit after an accident where the aircraft has overturned.
What is FAA's response to the concern? We agree with the commenter.
The final rule AD Summary and AD paragraph 2(c) will be changed to
indicate the possibility of foreign material entering the cockpit after
an accident where the aircraft has overturned.
We will change the final rule AD action to incorporate these
changes.
FAA's Determination
What is FAA's final determination on this issue? We carefully
reviewed all available information related to the subject presented
above and determined that air safety and the public interest require
the adoption of the rule as proposed except for the changes discussed
above and minor editorial questions. We have determined that these
changes and 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 845 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:
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Total cost
Labor cost Parts cost per Total cost U.S.
airplane operators
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6 workhours x $60 = $360..................................... $300 $660 845 x $660 = $557,700
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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:
2002-25-09 Air Tractor, Inc.: Amendment 39-12985; 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;
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Models Serial Nos.
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AT-250, AT-300, AT-301, AT-302, AT-400, AT- All through 0829.
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 in case of an aircraft overturn. 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:
[[Page 78158]]
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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Install overturn skid plate, Within the next 180 In accordance with
part number (P/N) 11411-1- days after February Snow Engineering
500, or FAA-approved 10, 2003 (the Company Service
equivalent P/N. effective date of Letter 97,
this AD), unless dated March 23,
already 1991, Revised
accomplished.. 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 (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 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) 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 97, dated
March 23, 1991, Revised October 3, 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.,
P.O. 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 February 10, 2003.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 13, 2002.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-31998 Filed 12-20-02; 8:45 am]
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