AD 2008-26-01 Airworthiness Directives; Air Tractor, Inc. Models AT-200, AT-300, AT-400, AT-500, AT-600, and AT-800 Series Airplanes

This AD applies to the following airplane models and serial numbers that are certificated in any category:   Group 1 models Serial Nos. AT-250, AT-300, AT-301, AT-302, AT-400, AT-400A, AT-401, AT-401A, AT-402, AT-402A, and AT-402B -0001 through -1196. AT-501, AT-502, AT-502A, and AT-502B -0001 through -2620. AT-602 -0337 through -1153. AT-802A -0003 through -0282.   Group 2 models Serial Nos. AT-401B -0952 through -1196.

To address this problem, you must do the following, unless already done:   Actions Compliance Procedures (1) For Group 1 airplanes: If overturn skid plate part number (P/N) 11411-1-500 or an FAA-approved equivalent P/N is already installed then install P/N 11411-1-501 modification kit Within the next 180 days after July 7, 2008 (the effective date of AD 2008-11-17) Follow Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #97, revised November 7, 2007; or Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #97, revised September 19, 2008. (2) For Group 1 airplanes: If there is no overturn skid plate installed, then install overturn skid plate kit P/N 11411-1-502 or an FAA-approved equivalent part number Within the next 180 days after July 7, 2008 (the effective date of AD 2008-11-17) Follow Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #97, revised November 7, 2007; or Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #97, revised September 19, 2008. (3) For Group 2 airplanes: Install P/N 11411-1-501 modification kit Within the next 180 days after January 28, 2009 (the effective date of this AD) Follow Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #97, revised September 19, 2008. 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 Pl., Ste. 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. Material Incorporated by Reference (h) You must use Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #97, revised November 7, 2007; or Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #97, revised September 19, 2008, 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 Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #97, revised September 19, 2008, under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) On July 7, 2008 (73 FR 31351, June 2, 2008), the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #97, revised November 7, 2007. (3) 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; e-mail: airmail@airtractor.com ; Internet: http://www.airtractor.com . (4) You may review copies of the service information incorporated by reference for this AD at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the Central Region, call (816) 329-3768. (5) You may also review copies of the service information incorporated by reference for this AD 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 December 9, 2008. John Colomy, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-29568 Filed 12-23-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Since we issued AD 2008-11-17, the manufacturer has notified us that Model AT-401B airplanes also need a modification to the overturn skid plane. Consequently, this AD retains the actions of AD 2008-11-17 and adds the requirement to modify the overturn skid plate installed on Model AT-401B airplanes. We are issuing this AD to prevent the front and rear connections of the overturn skid plate to the airplane from breaking, which could allow foreign debris to enter the cockpit during an airplane overturn. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to pilot injury.