Flight Controls, Rudder Control System

1 FAA Aviation Safety SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN SUBJ: Flight Controls, Rudder Control System SAIB: CE-17-03 Date: December 16, 2016 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) is being issued to alert owners, operators, maintenance technicians, and inspectors of an airworthiness concern for Air Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Models AT-602, AT-802, and AT802A airplanes (under Type Certificate Data Sheet A19SW). Specifically, this SAIB provides inspection procedures and on- condition maintenance actions for the rudder pedal attachment assembly 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) #345 for all Air Tractor Models AT-602 and AT-802A airplanes after a rudder pedal became detached at the upper bracket where the pedal assembly mounts to the fuselage frame tube on a Model AT-802A airplane. SL #345 directs inspection of the welds securing the bushings that the assembly attach bolts are installed through.

In addition, Air Tractor previously released SL #329 for Air Tractor Model AT-602 airplanes, serial numbers 602-1206 through 602-1244; and Air Tractor Models AT-802 and AT-802A airplanes, serial numbers 802/802A-0438 through -0561 and -4012 through -4025; to inspect for cracks in the welds of the rudder pedal attach assembly plates. Cracks in the welds noted in SL #345 and SL #329 can lead to failure of the rudder pedal attachment and loss of control.

Recommendations

The FAA recommends inspecting the rudder pedal attach assembly on the applicable Models AT-602, AT-802, and AT-802A airplanes using the procedures in SL #345 and SL #329. 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]

Kristi Bradley, Aerospace Engineer, ASW-143, Aircraft Certification Office, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; phone: (817) 222-5485; email: [email protected]

2 For Related Service Information or to Contact the Manufacturer

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