Stabilizers, Rudder Structure

1 FAA Aviation Safety SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN SUBJ: Stabilizers, Rudder Structure SAIB: CE-16-10 Date: December 1, 2015 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) informs registered owners/operators of Air Tractor, Inc. Models AT-402/402A/402B, AT-502/502A/502B, AT-602, and AT-802/802A airplanes, all serial numbers (under Type Certificate Data Sheets A17SW and A19SW) of an airworthiness concern. Specifically, this SAIB provides inspection procedures and on-condition maintenance actions for the rudder upper hinge for the affected airplanes.

At this time, the airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition that would warrant airworthiness directive (AD) action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 39.

Background

Air Tractor, Inc. recently issued Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter (SL) #331 for all Models AT-402/402A/402B, AT-502/502A/502B, AT-602, and AT-802/802A airplanes. The SL was issued after an operator reported finding sheared rivets in the rudder upper hinge support bracket on one airplane. The SL provides owners and operators instructions for inspecting the rudder upper hinge and surrounding structure for hinge movement relative to the rudder, and for cracks in the skins, spars, hinge brackets, or doublers. An initial inspection is specified within 100 flight hours with repeat inspections 300 hours/annually thereafter, and repair or replacement of damaged parts when found. SL #331 also requests you report your inspection results to the Air Tractor Service Department using the contact information provided.

Recommendations

The FAA recommends inspecting, and repairing or replacing when required, the rudder upper hinge and surrounding structure in Air Tractor, Inc. AT-402/402A/402B, AT-502/502A/502B, AT-602, and AT-802/802A airplanes using the procedures in SL #331, and to report your inspection findings to the Air Tractor Service Department.

A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120- 0731. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are voluntary. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance Officer, ASP-110.

2 For Further Information Contact

Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer, ASW-143, c/o SAT-MIDO-43, 10100 Reunion Place Suite 650, San Antonio, TX 78216; phone: (210) 308-3365, fax: (210) 308-3370; e-mail: [email protected].

For Related Service Information or to Report Inspection Findings Contact

Air Tractor, Inc., P.O. Box 485, Olney, Texas, 76374; phone: (940) 564-5616; fax: (940) 564-5612; email: [email protected].