AD 2007-10-01 Airworthiness Directives; Air Tractor, Inc. Model AT-602 Airplanes

Models named: AT-602. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Model AT-602 airplanes, all serial numbers through 602-0695 that: (1) Have horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly, part number (P/N) 30012-7, installed; and (2) Are certificated in any category.

To address this problem, you must do the following, unless already done:   Actions Compliance Procedures (1) Do the following: (i) Install access holes for visual inspection of the P/N 30012-7, horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly. (ii) Conduct a detailed visual inspection for cracks in the P/N 30012-7 horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly. Install the access holes and do the initial inspection upon accumulating 2,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) or within the next 60 days after June 12, 2007 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later. Repetitively inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS. Replacement of the P/N 30012-7 horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly with a new design P/N 30766-1 horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly following paragraph (e)(2) of this AD is terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirement of this AD Follow Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #235, dated August 25, 2004, revised October 24, 2006. (2) Replace the P/N 30012-7 horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly with a new design P/N 30766-1 horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly Before further flight after any inspection required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD where cracks are found. The installation of a new design P/N 30766-1 horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly is terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirement of this AD Follow Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #129A, dated August 7, 2004, revised November 15, 2005; Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #235, dated August 25, 2004, revised October 24, 2006; and Snow Engineering Co. Drill Template—602, Drawing Number SL129-602, dated August 2, 2004. (3) Do not install any P/N 30012-7 horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly As of June 12, 2007 (the effective date of this AD) Not Applicable. 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; 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. Related Information (g) 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; fax: (940) 564-5612. 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, or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is Docket No. FAA-2006-26775; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-01-AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (h) You must use Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #129A, dated August 7, 2004, revised November 15, 2005; Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #235, dated August 25, 2004, revised October 24, 2006; and Snow Engineering Co. Drill Template—602, Drawing Number SL129-602, dated August 2, 2004, 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; fax: (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 April 27, 2007. David R. Showers, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E7-8671 Filed 5-7-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from two reports of Model AT-602 airplanes with cracked horizontal stabilizer brace tube assemblies. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the horizontal stabilizer brace tube assembly, which could result in failure of the horizontal stabilizer. This failure could affect the ability to control pitch with consequent loss of control.