Flight Controls, Aileron Control System

1 FAA Aviation Safety SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN SUBJ: Flight Controls, Aileron Control System SAIB: CE-17-22 Date: August 22, 2017 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) informs registered owners/operators of an airworthiness concern for Air Tractor, Inc. Models AT-802 and AT-802A airplanes (under Type Certificate Data Sheet A19SW), serial numbers -0550 through -0600 and -4026 through -4029, of an airworthiness concern. Specifically, this SAIB provides inspection procedures and on-condition maintenance actions for the aileron bell crank attach plates for 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) #366 for Air Tractor, Inc. Models AT-802 and AT-802A airplanes. The SL was issued after in-flight failure of the aileron bell crank attach plates due to an incomplete weld on a Model AT-802 airplane. Failure of the welds mounting the attach plate to the bell crank support led to loss of control of the aileron. The SL provides owners and operators instructions for inspecting welds attaching the right and left wing aileron bell crank attach plates and requires contacting the Air Tractor Customer Service Department using the contact information provided in the event suspect welds are found.

Recommendations

The FAA recommends affected Air Tractor, Inc. airplane owners inspect their aileron bell crank attach plates to the bell crank support assembly using the procedures in SL #366 and report any suspect welds to the Air Tractor Service Department.

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2 For Further Information Contact

Kristi Bradley, Aerospace Engineer, AIR-7F2, Fort Worth ACO Branch, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; phone: (817) 222-5485; email: [email protected]

Kenneth Cook, Aerospace Engineer, AIR-7F1, Fort Worth ACO Branch, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; phone: (817) 222-5475; 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].