2009-11-05: Cracks in the engine mount

2009-11-05 Air Tractor, Inc.: Amendment 39-15915; Docket No. FAA- 2009-0473; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-027-AD. Effective Date (a) This AD becomes effective on June 1, 2009. Affected ADs (b) This AD supersedes AD 2008-10-12; Amendment 39-15518. Applicability (c) This AD applies to the following airplane models and serial numbers that are certificated in any category: Models Serial Nos. AT 400, AT 400A, AT 402, AT 402A, and AT 402B -0001 through -1175. AT 502, AT 502A, AT 502B, and AT 503A -0001 through -2597. AT 602 -0001 through -1141. AT 802 and AT 802A -0001 through -0227. Unsafe Condition (d) This AD is the result of a report of a Model AT-602 airplane with a crack completely through the gusset that was installed as required in AD 2008-10-12. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the engine mount, which could result in failure of the engine mount. Such failure could lead to separation of the engine from the airplane. Compliance (e) Inspect the engine mount as follows using the service information in paragraph (i) of this AD: Models Compliance time without Gussets installed Compliance time with Gussets installed (1) For all Models AT 400, AT 400A, AT 402, AT 402A, AT 402B, AT 502, AT 502B, and AT 503A airplanes Initially and repetitively as follows: (i) With less than 5,000 hours time-inservice (TIS) on the airplane: Initially within the next 12 months after June 12, 2008 (the effective date of AD 2008 10 12). Repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 12 months until accumulating 5,000 hours TIS;. (ii) With 5,000 hours TIS or more on the airplane: Initially upon accumulating 5,000 hours TIS on the airplane or within the next 10 hours TIS after June 1, 2009 (the effective date of this AD), or within the next 100 hours TIS from the last inspection performed, whichever occurs later. Repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 100 hours TIS. Initially and repetitively as follows: (A) With less than 5,000 hours TIS on the airplane: Initially within the next 12 months after June 1, 2009 (the effective date of this AD). Repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 12 months until accumulating 5,000 hours TIS; (B) With 5,000 hours TIS or more on the airplane: Initially upon accumulating 5,000 hours TIS on the airplane or within the next 10 hours TIS after June 1, 2009 (the effective date of this AD), or within the next 100 hours TIS from the last inspection performed, whichever occurs later. Repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 100 hours TIS. (2) AT 502A (i) With less than 5,000 hours TIS on the airplane: Initially upon accumulating 1,300 hours TIS on the airplane or within the next 100 hours TIS after June 12, 2008 (the effective date of AD 2008 10 12), whicheveroccurs later. Repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 300 hours TIS. (ii) With 5,000 hours TIS ormore on the airplane: Initially upon accumulating 5,000 hours TIS on the airplane or within the next 10 hours TIS after June 1, 2009 (the effective date of this AD), or within the next 100 hours TIS from the last inspection performed, whichever occurs later. Repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 100 hours TIS. (i) With less than 5,000 hours TIS on the airplane: Initially upon accumulating 1,300 hours TIS on the airplane or within the next 100 hours TIS after June 1, 2009 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later. Repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 300 hours TIS. (ii) With 5,000 hours TIS or more on the airplane: Initially upon accumulating 5,000 hours TIS on the airplane or within the next 10 hours TIS after June 1, 2009 (the effective date of this AD), or within the next 100 hours TIS from the last inspection performed, whichever occurs later. Repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 100 hours TIS. (3) AT 602, AT 802, and AT 802A (i) With less than 5,000 hours TIS on the airplane: Initially upon accumulating 1,300 hours TIS on the airplane or within the next 100 hours TIS after August 10, 2007 (the effective date of AD 2007 13 17), whichever occurs later. Repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 300 hours TIS. (ii) With 5,000 hours TIS or more on the airplane: Initially upon accumulating 5,000 hours TIS on the airplane or within the next 10 hours TIS after June 1, 2009 (the effective date of this AD), or within the next 100 hours TIS from the last inspection performed, whichever occurs later. Repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 100 hours TIS. (i) With less than 5,000 hours TIS on the airplane: Initially upon accumulating 1,300 hours TIS on the airplane or within the next 100 hours TIS after June 1, 2009 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later. Repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 300 hours TIS. (ii) With 5,000hours TIS or more on the airplane: Initially upon accumulating 5,000 hours TIS on the airplane or within the next 10 hours TIS after June 1, 2009 (the effective date of this AD), or within the next 100 hours TIS from the last inspection performed, whichever occurs later. Repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 100 hours TIS. (f) For all airplanes: Before further flight after any inspection required by paragraph (e)(1), (e)(2), and (e)(3) of this AD where crack damage is found, replace with a new engine mount or repair the engine mount. (1) If choosing repair, return cracked mounts to Air Tractor, Inc. for repair or obtain FAA-approved written repair instructions coordinated with Air Tractor, Inc. before starting the repair. (2) Contact Air Tractor, Inc., P.O. Box 485, Olney, Texas 76374; telephone: (940) 564-5616; fax: (940) 564-5612; Internet: http:// www.airtractor.com, for specific FAA-approved repair/replacement instructions. Alternative Methods ofCompliance (AMOCs) (g) 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. (h) AMOCs approved for AD 2008-10-12 are not approved for this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter 253, Rev. C, dated April 17, 2008, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) As of June 12, 2008 (73 FR 25967), the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter 253, Rev. C, dated April 17, 2008, 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.