AD 2009-18-04 Airworthiness Directives; Air Tractor, Inc. Models AT-802 and AT-802A Airplanes

Models named: AT-802, AT-802A. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Models AT-802 and AT-802A airplanes, serial numbers 802/802A-001 through 802/802A-0319, that are certificated in any category.

To address this problem, you must do the following, unless already done:   Actions Compliance Procedures (1) Secure any items stowed in the baggage compartment using tie down straps and/or a cargo net Before further flight after October 1, 2009 (the effective date of this AD) until the installation of the rudder-aileron interconnect cable shield kit required in paragraph (e)(2) of this AD is done Not applicable. (2) Install the following rudder-aileron interconnect cable shield kit, as applicable No later than December 31, 2009 Snow Engineering Co., Service Letter #274, Revision A, dated April 6, 2009. (i) For all airplanes equipped for agricultural spray operations and all fire-fighting airplanes retrofitted with Gen II Fire Retardant Delivery System relay box, install cable shield kit SL#274 (ii) For all fire-fighting airplanes not equipped with Gen II Fire Retardant Delivery System relay box, install cable shield kit SL#274-2 (iii) Installation of the applicable cable shield kit SL#274 or SL#274-2 terminates the requirement of paragraph (e)(1) of this AD 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, 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 (g) You must use Snow Engineering Co., Service Letter #274, Revision A, dated April 6, 2009, 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; facsimile: (940) 564-5612; e-mail: parts@airtractor.com; Internet: http://www.airtractor.com. (3) 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. (4) 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 August 18, 2009. Scott A. Horn, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E9-20385 Filed 8-26-09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from a report of the rudder pedal cable becoming jammed in flight. We are proposing this AD to prevent jamming of the rudder-aileron interconnect cables by unsecured items in the baggage compartment, which could result in failure of the rudder-aileron interconnect cable system. This failure could lead to loss of control.