2008-11-17: Overturn skid plate in the cockpit area

2008-11-17 Air Tractor, Inc.: Amendment 39-15540; Docket No. FAA- 2008-0247; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-003-AD. Effective Date (a) This AD becomes effective on July 7, 2008. Affected ADs (b) This AD supersedes AD 2002-25-09, Amendment 39-12985. Applicability (c) This AD applies to the following airplane models and serial numbers that are certificated in any category: Models Serial Numbers AT-250, AT-300, AT-301, AT-302, AT-400, AT-400A, AT-401, AT-401A, AT-402, AT-402A, and AT-402B -0001 through -1196 AT-501, AT-502, AT-502A, and AT-502B -0001 through -2620 AT-602 -0337 through -1153 AT-802A -0003 through -0282 Unsafe Condition (d) Since we issued AD 2002-25-09, we received a report of the bolts that attach the forward end of the original design overturn skid plate to the airframe breaking in an overturn accident. This allowed the skid plate to rotate around the rear attach point and the forward end of the plate to enter the cockpit area. We are issuing this AD to prevent the front and rear connections of the overturn skid plate to the airplane from breaking, which could allow foreign debris to enter the cockpit during an airplane overturn. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to pilot injury. Compliance (e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless already done: Actions Compliance Procedures (1) If overturn skid plate kit part number (P/N) 11411-1-500 or an FAA-approved equivalent P/N is already installed, then install P/N 11411-1-501 modification kit. Within the next 180 days after July 7, 2008 (the effective date of this AD). Follow Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #97, revised November 7, 2007. (2) If there is no overturn skid plate installed, then install overturn skid plate kit P/N 11411-1-502 or an FAA-approved equivalent part number. Within the next 180 days after July 7, 2008 (the effective date of this AD). Follow Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #97, revised November 7, 2007. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (f) The Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, 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: Andy McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer, ASW-150, FAA San Antonio MIDO-43, 10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio, Texas 78216, phone: (210) 308-3365; fax: (210) 308-3370. 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 (g) You must use Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter 97, revised November 7, 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 Air Tractor Inc., P.O. Box 485, Olney, Texas 76374; telephone: (940) 564-5616; fax: (940) 564-5612. (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.