FAA · Airworthiness Directive
Airworthiness Directives; Air Tractor, Inc. Airplanes
Abstract
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-15- 07, which applied to all Air Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Model AT-802 and AT-802A airplanes with Wipaire, Inc. Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SA01795CH installed. AD 2023-15-07 required repetitively inspecting the left and right forward horizontal stabilizer spars for cracks, replacing any forward horizontal stabilizer spar found cracked, and reporting inspection results to the FAA. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the left and right, forward and rear, horizontal stabilizer spars for cracks at shorter intervals than those required by AD 2023-15-07, replacing any horizontal stabilizer spar found cracked or damaged, installing bathtub fittings, and reporting inspection results to the FAA. This AD was prompted by additional reports of cracks in the horizontal stabilizer spars and the need to incorporate a new finlet attach design on the horizontal stabilizer spars to reduce the cracking. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Applicability
Aircraft makes and models this AD applies to, sorted by US-registered fleet size.
Federal Register text
Verbatim from the Federal Register publication — required actions, compliance times, parts/serial numbers, and methods of compliance. The Federal Register is the legally binding document; this rendering is for readability. Cite: 89 FR 67267.
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 20, 2024)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 67267-67270] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2024-18586]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2013; Project Identifier AD-2024-00363-A; Amendment 39-22812; AD 2024-16-06] RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Air Tractor, Inc. Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-15- 07, which applied to all Air Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Model AT-802 and AT-802A airplanes with Wipaire, Inc. Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SA01795CH installed. AD 2023-15-07 required repetitively inspecting the left and right forward horizontal stabilizer spars for cracks, replacing any forward horizontal stabilizer spar found cracked, and reporting inspection results to the FAA. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the left and right, forward and rear, horizontal stabilizer spars for cracks at shorter intervals than those required by AD 2023-15-07, replacing any horizontal stabilizer spar found cracked or damaged, installing bathtub fittings, and reporting inspection results to the FAA. This AD was prompted by additional reports of cracks in the horizontal stabilizer spars and the need to incorporate a new finlet attach design on the horizontal stabilizer spars to reduce the cracking. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 4, 2024. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 4, 2024. The FAA must receive comments on this AD by October 4, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Fax: (202) 493-2251. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-2013; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. Material Incorporated by Reference: For Wipaire, Inc. material identified in this AD, contact Wipaire, Inc., 1700 Henry Avenue, Fleming Field (KSGS), South St. Paul, MN 55075; phone: (651) 451-1205; email: wipaire.com">[email protected]; website: wipaire.com. You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Eichor, Aviation Safety Engineer, Central Certification Branch, FAA, 1801 S. Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: (847) 294-7141; email: [email protected].