2002-11-05-R1 Air Tractor, Inc.: Amendment 39-14564; Docket No. FAA- 2006-23647; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-06-AD.
When Does This AD Become Effective?
(a) This AD becomes effective on April 21, 2006.
Are Any Other ADs Affected by This Action?
(b) This AD revises AD 2002-11-05, Amendment 39-12766.
What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?
(c) This AD applies to Model AT-501 airplanes that are certificated in any category. Use Table 1 in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD for AT-501 airplanes that do not incorporate and never have incorporated Marburger winglets and use Table 2 in paragraph (c)(3) of this AD for AT-501 airplanes that incorporate or have incorporated Marburger winglets.
(1) The following table applies to airplanes that do not incorporate and never have incorporated Marburger winglets along with the safe life (presented in hours time-in-service (TIS)) of the wing lower spar cap for all affected airplane models and serial numbers:
Table 1.--Safe Life for Airplanes That Do Not Incorporate and Never Have Incorporated Marburger Winglets
Model
Serial Nos.
Wing lower spar cap safe line
AT 501
0002 through 0061
4,531 hours TIS.
AT 501
All beginning with 0062
7,693 hours TIS.
(2) If piston-powered aircraft have been converted to turbine power, you must use the limits for the corresponding serial number turbine-powered aircraft.
(3) The following table applies to airplanes that incorporate or have incorporated Marburger winglets. These winglets are installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SA00490LA. Use the winglet usage factor in Table 2 of this paragraph, the safe life specified in Table 1 in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, and the instructions included in Appendix 1 to this AD to determine the new safe life of airplanes that incorporate or have incorporated Marburger winglets:
Table 2.--Winglet Usage Factor To Determine the Safe Life for Airplanes
That Incorporateor Have Incorporated Marburger Winglets Per STC No.
SA00490LA
Model
Serial Nos.
Winglet usage factor
AT 501
0002 through 0061 .
1.6
AT 501
all serial numbers beginning with 0062.
1.6
What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?
(d) This AD is the result of service reports and analysis done on wing lower spar caps of Air Tractor airplanes. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent fatigue cracks from occurring in the wing lower spar cap before the established safe life is reached. Fatigue cracks in the wing lower spar cap, if not detected and corrected, could result in failure of the spar cap and lead to wing separation and loss of control of the airplane.
What Must I Do To Address This Problem?
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following:
Table 3.--Actions/Compliance/Procedures
Actions
Compliance
Procedures(1) Modify the applicable aircraft records as follows to show the reduced safe life for the wing lower spar cap (use the information from table in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD and
utilize the information in paragraph (c)(3) of this AD and the Appendix to this AD, as applicable).
(i) Incorporate the following into the
Aircraft Logbook "In accordance
with AD 2002 11 05, the wing lower
spar cap is life limited to ___." Insert
the applicable safe life number from
the applicable tables in paragraphs
(c)(1) and (c)(3) of this AD and the
Appendix of this AD.
(ii) If, as of the time of the logbook
entry requirement of paragraph
(e)(1) of this AD, your airplane is
over or within 10 hours of the safe
life, an additional 10 hours TIS after
July 12, 2002 (the effective date of this AD) is allowed to do the replacement.
Do the logbook entry within the next 10 hours TIS after July 12, 2002 (the effective date of AD 2002 11 05),unless already done. The logbook language is referenced as AD 2002 11 05 instead of AD 2002 11 05 R1 to maintain continuity and to assure that no additional action is necessary.
The owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) may modify the aircraft records as specified in paragraphs (e)(1) of this AD. Make an entry into the aircraft records showing compliance with this portion of the following section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).
Do the replacement when the safe life is reached following Snow Engineering Service Letters #197 or #205, both revised March 26, 2001, as applicable. The owner/operator may not do the replacement unless he/she holds the proper mechanic authorization.
(2) If you have ordered parts from the factory when it is time to replace the wing lower spar cap (as required when you reach the established safe life), but the parts are not available, you may eddy-current inspect the wing lower spar cap. These inspections are
allowed until one of the following occurs, at which time the replacement must be done:
(i) Crack(s) is/are found;
(ii) Parts become available from the
manufacturer; or
(iii) Not more than three inspections or
1,200 hours TIS go by: the first inspection would have to be done
upon accumulating the safe life; the
second inspection would have to be
done within 400 hours TIS after accumulating the safe life; the third inspection would have to be done 400
hours TIS after the second inspection; and the replacement would
have to be done within 400 hours
TIS after the third inspection (maximum elapsed time would be 1,200
hours TIS).
Inspect before further flight after ordering the parts and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 400 hours TIS until one of the criteria in paragraphs (e)(2)(i), (e)(2)(ii), and (e)(2)(iii) of this AD is met.
Following the procedures in Snow Engineering Service Letter #197, pages 1 and 2, revised March 26, 2001, and page 3, dated June 13, 2000; and Snow Engineering Service Letter #205, pages 1, 2, and 4, revised March 26, 2001, and page 3, dated October 25, 2000 as applicable.
(3) Eddy-current inspect the wing lower spar cap in order to detect any crack before it extends to the modified center section of the wing and repair that crack or replace the wing section. The inspection must be done by one of the following:
(i) a Level 2 or Level 3 inspector that
is certified for eddy-current inspection using the guidelines established
by the American Society for Non-destructive Testing or MIL STD 410; or
(ii) A person authorized to perform AD
work who has completed and passed the Air Tractor, Inc. training course on Eddy Current Inspection on wing lower spar caps.
Immediately before the replacement/modification required when you reach the new safe life. For airplanes that had this replacement
done in accordance with either AD 2001 10 04 or AD 2001 10 04 R1, do this inspection and any necessary corrective action within the next 400 hours TIS after July 12, 2002 (the effective date of AD 2002 11 05), unless already done (have the mechanic who did the work mark the logbook
accordingly).
Following the procedures in Snow Engineering Service Letter #197, pages 1 and 2, revised March 26, 2001, and page 3, dated June 13, 2000; and Snow Engineering Service Letter #205, pages 1, 2, and 4, revised March 26, 2001, and page 3, dated October 25, 2000, as applicable.
May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC)?
(f) The Manager, Fort Worth or Los Angeles Airplane Certification Office (ACO), as applicable, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(1) For information on any already approved AMOCs or for information pertaining to this AD, contact:
(i) For the airplanes that do not incorporate and never have incorporated Marburger winglets: Rob Romero, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150; telephone: (817) 222-5102; facsimile: (817) 222-5960; and
(ii) For airplanes that incorporate or have incorporated Marburger winglets: John Cecil, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone: (562) 627-5228; facsimile: (562) 627-5210.
(2) AMOCs approved for AD 2001-10-04 and/or AD 2000-14-51 are not considered approved for this AD.
(3) AMOCs approved for AD 2001-10-04 R1 for the Model AT-501 airplanes are considered approved for this AD.
(4) AMOCs approved for AD 2002-11-05 for the Model AT-501 airplanesare considered approved for this AD.
Are There Any Additional AMOCs Being Considered for This AD?
(g) The FAA may approve, as an AMOC, inspection of the wing lower spar cap. You must submit the request in accordance with the procedures in paragraph (f) of this AD and adhere to the following:
(1) If you are over or within 10 hours TIS of reaching the safe life used in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD for the wing lower spar cap and you have ordered parts and scheduled a date for the replacement, but having the replacement done on this date grounds the airplane, do the following:
(i) Inspect the wing lower spar cap within 10 hours TIS after approval of the AMOC;
(ii) re-inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed 400 hours TIS until either cracks are found, the date of the scheduled replacement occurs, or 1,200 hours TIS after the initial inspection are accumulated, whichever occurs first; and
(iii) do the inspections following the procedures in Snow Engineering Service Letter 197, pages 1 and 2, revised March 26, 2001, and page 3, dated June 13, 2000; and Snow Engineering Service Letter 205, pages 1, 2, and 4, revised March 26, 2001, and page 3, dated October 25, 2000, as applicable.
(2) Submit the following to the Fort Worth or Los Angeles ACO, as applicable, using the procedures described in paragraph (f) of this AD:
(i) The airplane model serial number designation, and airplane registration number (N-number);
(ii) the number of hours TIS on the airplane;
(iii) the scheduled date for the replacement; and
(iv) the name and location of the authorized repair shop.
(3) For more information about this issue, contact:
(i) For the airplanes that do not incorporate and never have incorporated Marburger winglets: Rob Romero, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150; telephone: (817) 222-5102; facsimile: (817) 222-5960; and
(ii) For the airplanes that incorporate or have incorporated winglets: John Cecil, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone: (562) 627-5228; facsimile: (562) 627- 5210.
Special Flight Permit
(h) Under 14 CFR part 39.23, we are allowing special flight permits for the purpose of compliance with this AD under the following conditions:
(1) Only operate in day visual flight rules (VFR).
(2) Ensure that the hopper is empty.
(3) Limit airspeed to 135 miles per hour (mph) indicated airspeed (IAS).
(4) Avoid any unnecessary g-forces.
(5) Avoid areas of turbulence.
(6) Plan the flight to follow the most direct route.
Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?
(i) You must do the actions required by this AD following the instructions in Snow Engineering Service Letter 197, pages 1 and 2, revised March 26, 2001, and page 3, dated June 13, 2000; and Snow Engineering Service Letter 205, pages 1, 2, and 4, revised March 26, 2001, and page 3, dated October 25, 2000. On June 8, 2001 (66 FR 27014, May 16, 2001), the Director of the Federal Register previously approved this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get a copy of this service information, contact Air Tractor, Incorporated, P.O. Box 485, Olney, Texas 76374; or Marburger Enterprises, Inc., 1227 Hillcourt, Williston, North Dakota 58801; telephone: (800) 893-1420 or (701) 774-0230; facsimile: (701) 572-2602. To review copies of this service information, go to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html or call (202)741-6030. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2006-23647; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-06-AD.
Appendix to AD 2002-11-05 R1
The following provides procedures for determining the safe life for those Model AT-501 airplanes that incorporate or have incorporated Marburger winglets. These winglets are installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SA00490LA.
1. Review your airplane's logbook to determine your airplane's time in service (TIS) with winglets installed per Marburger STC No. SA00490LA. This includes all time spent with the winglets currently installed and any previous installations where the winglet was installed and later removed.
Example: A review of your airplane's logbook shows that you have accumulated 350 hours TIS since incorporating the Marburger STC. Further review of the airplane's logbook shows that a previous owner had installed the STC and later removed the winglets after accumulating 150 hoursTIS. Therefore, your airplane's TIS with the winglets installed is 500 hours.
If you determine that the winglet STC has never been incorporated on your airplane, then your safe life is presented in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD. Any further winglet installation would be subject to a reduced safe life per these instructions.
2. Determine your airplane's unmodified safe life from paragraph (c)(1) of this AD.
Example: Your airplane is a Model AT-501, serial number 0100. From paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, the unmodified safe-life of your airplane is 7,693 hours TIS. All examples from hereon will be based on the Model AT-501, serial number 0100 airplane.
3. Determine the winglet usage factor from paragraph (c)(3) of this AD.
Example: Again, your airplane is a Model AT-501, serial number 0100. From paragraph (c)(3) of this AD, your winglet usage factor is 1.6.
4. Adjust the winglet TIS to account for the winglet usage factor. Multiply the winglet TIS (result of 1.)by the winglet usage factor (result of 3.).
Example: Winglet TIS is 500 hours X a winglet usage factor of 1.6. The adjusted winglet TIS is 800 hours.
Appendix to AD 2002-11-05 R1
5. Calculate the winglet usage penalty. Subtract the winglet TIS (result of 1.) from the adjusted winglet TIS (result of 4.).
Example: Adjusted winglet TIS is 800 hours - the winglet TIS of 500 hours. The winglet usage penalty is 300 hours TIS.
6. Adjust the safe life of your airplane to account for winglet usage. Subtract the winglet usage penalty (result of 5.) result from the unmodified safe life from paragraph (c)(1) of this AD (the result of 2.).
Example: The unmodified safe life is 7,693 hours TIS - the 300 hours TIS usage penalty = 7,393 hours TIS adjusted safe life.
7. If you remove the winglets from your airplane before further flight or nor longer have the winglets installed on your airplane, the safe life of your airplane is the adjusted safe life (result of 6.). Enter this number in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD and the airplane logbook.
8. If you keep the current winglet installation on your airplane, you must further reduce the safe life by dividing the adjusted safe life (result of 6.) by the winglet usage factor (result of 3.). Record this result in your airplane's logbook.
Example: Adjusted safe life is 7,393 hours / winglet usage factor of 1.6 = 4,621 hours TIS.
9. If, at anytime in the future, you install or remove the Marburger winglet STC from your airplane, you must repeat the procedures in this Appendix.