Discussion
On August 3, 2006, 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-502, AT-502A, AT-502B, AT- 602, AT-802, and AT-802A airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on August 3, 2006 (71 FR 45451). The NPRM proposed to require you to repetitively visually inspect the rudder and vertical fin hinge attaching structure for loose fasteners, any cracks in the rudder or vertical fin skins, spars, hinges or brackets, or corrosion. The AD would also require you to replace any damaged parts found as a result of the inspection and install an external doubler at the upper rudder hinge. Installation of the external doubler at the upper rudder hinge is terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements.
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: Availability of Manufacturer Service Information for the Proposed AD
Jack Buster with the Modification and Replacement Parts Association (MARPA) provides comments on the AD process pertaining to how the FAA addresses publishing manufacturer service information as part of a proposed AD action. Mr. Buster states that the proposed rule attempts to require compliance with a public law by reference to a private writing (as referenced in paragraph (e) of the proposed AD). Mr. Buster would like the FAA to incorporate by reference (IBR) Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter 247, dated August 14, 2005, revised May 17, 2006; and Snow Engineering Co. Process Specification Number 145, dated December 6, 1991.
We agree with Mr. Buster. However, we do not IBR any document in a proposed AD action, instead we IBR the document in the final rule. Since weare issuing the proposal as a final rule AD action, the previously-referenced Snow Engineering Co. documents are incorporated by reference.
Comment Issue No. 2: Availability of Manufacturer Service Information in the Federal Register or the Docket Management System (DMS)
Mr. Buster also requests IBR documents be made available to the public by publication in the Federal Register or in the DMS.
We are currently reviewing issues surrounding the posting of service bulletins in the Department of Transportation's DMS as part of the AD docket. Once we have thoroughly examined all aspects of this issue and have made a final determination, we will consider whether our current practice needs to be revised.
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 945 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to do the inspection:
Labor Cost
Parts Cost
Total Cost Per Airplane
Total Cost on U.S. Operators
1 work-hour X $80 per hour = $80.
Not Applicable.
$80.
$75,600.
Any required "upon-condition'' repairs will vary depending upon the damage found, and any replacements required will vary based on the results of the inspection. Based on this, we have no way of determining the potential repair and/or replacement costs for each airplane or the number of airplanes that will need the repairs and/or replacements based on the result of the inspections.
We estimate the following costs to do the installation of the external doubler at the upper rudder hinge:
Labor Cost
Parts Cost
Total Cost Per Airplane
Total Cost on U.S. Operators
5 work-hours X $80 per hour = $400.
$217.
$617.
$583,065.
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 FindingsWe 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-2006-25260; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-37-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
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: