[Federal Register: December 17, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 241)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 71204-71206]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17de07-3]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28432; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-051-AD;
Amendment 39-15303; AD 2007-26-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Thrush Aircraft, Inc. Model S2R Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Thrush Aircraft, Inc. (Thrush) Model S2R series airplanes. This AD
requires you to do repetitive visual inspections of the vertical and
horizontal stabilizer attach fitting, attach fitting bolts, and the
vertical fin aft spar for cracks or corrosion. This AD also requires
immediate replacement of the vertical and horizontal stabilizer attach
fittings and attach fitting bolts if cracked or corroded parts are
found, and the inspection of the vertical fin aft spar with repair or
replacement if cracks or corrosion are found. This AD requires the
eventual replacement of the vertical and horizontal stabilizer attach
fittings and attach fitting bolts if no corrosion or cracks are found
as terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD results
from reports of cracks in the empennage of Thrush S2R series airplanes.
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct these cracks, which could
cause the vertical stabilizer to lose structural integrity. This
failure could lead to loss of control.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on January 22, 2008.
On January 22, 2008, the Director of the Federal Register approved
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this
AD.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Thrush Aircraft, Inc., P.O. Box 3149, 300 Old Pretoria Road, Albany,
Georgia 31706-3149; telephone: 229-883-1440; facsimile: 229-436-4856;
or on the Internet at: http://www.thrushaircraft.com.
To view the AD docket, go to U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, or on the Internet at
http://www.regulations.gov. The docket number is FAA-2007-28432;
Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-051-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
--Cindy Lorenzen, Aerospace Engineer, ACE-115A, Atlanta Aircraft
Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 450,
Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 703-6078; fax: (770) 703-6097;
e-mail: cindy.lorenzen@faa.gov; or
--Mike Cann, Aerospace Engineer, ACE-117A, Atlanta Aircraft
Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 450,
Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 703-6038; facsimile: (770)
703-6097; e-mail: michael.cann@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On July 26, 2007, we issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that
would apply to certain S2R series airplanes. This proposal was
published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM) on July 26, 2007 (72 FR 41042). The NPRM proposed to require
repetitive visual inspections of the vertical and horizontal stabilizer
attach fitting, attach fitting bolts, and the vertical fin aft spar for
corrosion or cracks. The NPRM also proposed to require immediate
replacement of the vertical and horizontal stabilizer attach fittings
and attach fitting bolts if cracked or corroded parts are found, and
inspection of the vertical fin aft spar with repair or replacement if
cracks or corrosion are found. This AD requires the eventual
replacement of the vertical and horizontal stabilizer attach fittings
and attach fitting bolts if no corrosion or cracks are found as
terminating action for the repetitive inspections.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on the
determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed
except for minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these
minor corrections:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 910 airplanes in the U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to do the inspection:
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Total cost per Total cost on
Labor cost Parts cost airplane U.S. operators
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8 work-hours x $80 per hour = $640.......... Not applicable................ $640 $582,400
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements of
the vertical fin aft spar that would be required based on the results
of the inspection. We have no way of determining the number of
airplanes that may need this replacement:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost airplane
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12 work-hours x $80 per hour = $960... $3,800 $4,760
------------------------------------------------------------------------
We estimate the following costs to replace the vertical and
horizontal stabilizer attach fittings and attachment bolt:
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Total cost per Total cost on
Labor cost Parts cost airplane U.S. operators
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30 work-hours x $80 per hour = $2,400....................... $1,550 $3,950 $3,594,500
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Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this AD.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a
substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD (and
other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) and placed
it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by sending a
request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket
No. FAA-2007-28432; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-051-AD'' in your
request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
2007-26-01 Thrush Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-15303; Docket No.
FAA-2007-28432; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-051-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective on January 22, 2008.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the following airplane models and serial
numbers that are certificated in any category and are equipped with
metal empennage part numbers (P/N) 40220 or 95400 (applies to serial
numbers with or without a ``DC'' suffix):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model Serial Nos.
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(1) S2R........................... 1416R through 5100R.
(2) S2R-R1340..................... R1340-001 through R1340-035.
(3) S2R-R1820..................... R1820-001 through R1820-036.
(4) S2R-T11....................... T11-001 through T11-005.
(5) S2R-T15....................... T15-001 through T15-044 and T27-001
through T27-044.
(6) S2R-T34....................... 6000 through 6049, T34-001 through
T34-279, T36-001 through T36-279,
T41-001 through T41-279, and T42-
001 through T42-279.
(7) S2RHG-T34..................... T34HG-101 through T34HG-107.
(8) S2R-T45....................... T45-001 through T45-015.
(9) S2R-T65....................... T65-001 through T65-018.
(10) S2RHG-T65.................... T65-001 through T65-018 and T65HG-
011 through T65HG-019.
(11) S2R-G1....................... G1-101 through G1-115.
(12) S2R-G5....................... G5-101 through G5-105.
(13) S2R-G6....................... G6-101 through G6-155.
(14) S2R-G10...................... G10-101 through G10-168.
(15) S2R-T660..................... T660-101 through T660-120.
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Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of cracks in the empennage of
Thrush Aircraft, Inc., S2R series airplanes. We are issuing this AD
to detect and correct these cracks, which could cause the vertical
stabilizer to lose structural integrity. This condition could lead
to loss of control.
Compliance
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless
already done:
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) Perform a visual inspection of the Within the next 50 hours time-in- Follow Thrush Aircraft, Inc.
vertical stabilizer attach fitting (P/N service (TIS) after January 22, Service Bulletin No. SB-AG-45,
40301-7), the horizontal stabilizer attach 2008 (the effective date of this Revision B, dated June 1, 2007.
fitting (P/N 40303-1/-4/-7 or 95267-1), AD) and repetitively thereafter
attachment bolt (P/N NAS1105-68), and the at intervals not to exceed 100
vertical fin aft spar (P/N 40261-24 or P/N hours TIS.
95253-1) for corrosion and cracks.
(2) If corrosion or cracks are found in P/N Before further flight after any Follow Thrush Aircraft, Inc.
40301-7, 40303-1/-4/-7, 95267-1, NAS1105- inspection where corrosion or Service Bulletin No. SB-AG-45,
68, 40261-24, or 95253-1 during any cracks are found. This action Revision B, dated June 1, 2007.
inspection required in paragraph (e)(1) of terminates the repetitive
this AD: inspections required in
(i) Replace the vertical stabilizer attach paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.
fitting with new P/N 95266-3; the
horizontal stabilizer attach fitting with
new P/N 95267-5; and the attachment bolt
with NAS6207-68; and.
(ii) If corrosion or cracks are found in
the P/N 40261-24 or P/N 95253-1 vertical
fin aft spar, repair in accordance with
Thrush SB-AG-45, Revision B, or replace
with a new P/N 40261-24 or new P/N 95253-1.
(3) If no corrosion or cracks are found in Within the next 2,000 hours TIS Follow Thrush Aircraft, Inc.
P/N 40301-7, 40303-1/-4/-7, 95267-1, after January 22, 2008 (the Service Bulletin No. SB-AG-45,
NAS1105-68, 40261-24, or 95253-1 during effective date of this AD) or Revision B, dated June 1, 2007.
any inspection required in paragraph within 2 years after January 22,
(e)(1) of this AD: 2008 (the effective date of this
(i) Replace the vertical stabilizer attach AD), whichever occurs first.
fitting with new P/N 95266-3; the This action terminates the
horizontal stabilizer attach fitting with repetitive inspections required
new P/N 95267-5; and the attachment bolt in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.
with NAS6207-68; and.
(ii) Perform a visual inspection of the
vertical fin aft spar (P/N 40261-24 or P/N
95253-1) for corrosion and cracks, and.
(iii) If corrosion or cracks are found in
the P/N 40261-24 or P/N 95253-1 vertical
fin aft spar, repair in accordance with
Thrush SB-AG-45, Revision B, or replace
with a new P/N 40261-24 or new P/N 95253-1.
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Special Flight Permit
(f) Under 14 CFR part 39.23, we are limiting the special flight
permits authorized for this AD to ferry aircraft to a maintenance
facility for inspection by the following conditions:
(1) Hopper must be empty;
(2) Vne reduced to 126 m.p.h. (109 knots); and
(3) No flight into known turbulence.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) The Manager, 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: Cindy Lorenzen, Aerospace Engineer, ACE-
115A, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895
Phoenix Blvd., Suite 450, Atlanta, GA 30349; telephone: (770) 703-
6078; facsimile: (770) 703-6097; e-mail: cindy.lorenzen@faa.gov; or
Mike Cann, Aerospace Engineer, ACE-117A, Atlanta Aircraft
Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Blvd., Suite
450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 703-6038; facsimile:
(770) 703-6097; e-mail: michael.cann@faa.gov. 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
(h) You must use Thrush Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. SB-
AG-45, Revision B, dated June 1, 2007, 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
Thrush Aircraft, Inc., P.O. Box 3149, 300 Old Pretoria Road, Albany,
Georgia 31706-3149; telephone: 229-883-1440; facsimile: 229-436-
4856; or on the Internet at: http://www.thrushaircraft.com.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or 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 December 10, 2007.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-24218 Filed 12-14-07; 8:45 am]
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