2011-05-07: Stabilizers

2011-05-07 Allied Ag Cat Productions, Inc.: Amendment 39-16616; Docket No. FAA-2011-0149; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-001-AD. Effective Date (a) This AD is effective March 17, 2011. Affected ADs (b) This AD supersedes AD 2008-22-21, Amendment 39-15718. Applicability (c) This AD applies to the following Allied Ag Cat Productions, Inc. model airplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any category: Models ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- G-164................................ G-164A................. G-164B................. G-164B with 73'' wing gap. G-164B-15T........................... G-164B-20T............. G-164B-34T............. G-164C. G-164D............................... G-164D with 73'' wing gap. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject (d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55, Stabilizers. Unsafe Condition (e) This AD was prompted by reports of the rudder main tubular spar failing and our determination that the previous compliance times specified for Models G-164, G-164A, and G-164B airplanes do not adequately address the unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion in the rudder main tubular spar, which could result in failure of the rudder main spar tube. This failure could lead to loss of directional control. Compliance (f) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Actions Compliance Procedures ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1) Drill an access hole and Initially inspect Following Steps 1 do a visual inspection within the next 30 through 3 of using a borescope of the days after March Grumman American lower end internal cavity 17, 2011 (the Aviation of the rudder main spar effective date of Corporation Ag-Cat tube for corrosion and do a this AD), unless Service Bulletin visual inspection of the already done within No. 61, dated June exterior of the rudder main the previous 60 6, 1977. spar tube for corrosion. months. Repetitively inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed 60 months from the last inspection. (2) If corrosion is found Before further As specified in during any inspection flight after any Steps 5 and 6 of required in paragraph inspection in which Grumman American (f)(1) of this AD, repair corrosion is found. Aviation inaccordance with Chapter Corporation Ag-Cat 4 of FAA Advisory Circular Service Bulletin 43.13-1B, Chg 1, dated No. 61, dated June September 27, 2001, or 6, 1977, and replace the damaged part(s). following Chapter 4 of FAA Advisory Circular 43.13-1B, Chg 1, dated September 27, 2001, which can be found at http://rgl.faa.gov/. (3) After each inspection, Before further As specified in Step repair, or replacement flight after each 4 of Grumman required in this AD, inspection required American Aviation corrosion protect the spar in paragraph (f)(1) Corporation Ag-Cat tube internal cavity by of this AD and Service Bulletin filling with warm, raw after each repair No. 61, dated June linseed oil, Paralketone, or replacement 6, 1977. or CRC3 (LPSHeavy Duty required in Rust Inhibitor Type 3), or paragraph (f)(2) of suitable equivalent this AD. protector for alloy steel, and allow to drain. Seal access hole with Scotch caulking compound, a suitable silicone based sealant, or equivalent. (4) Verify rigging check of Before further Following Ag-Cat the rudder. flight after each Maintenance Manual inspection required pages 6-14 through in paragraph (f)(1) 6-16, copyright of this AD and 1978; or Ag-Cat G- after each repair 164D Maintenance or replacement Manual pages 6-24 required in and 6-29, copyright paragraph (f)(2) of 1995, as this AD. applicable. [[Page 11327]] (5) Only install a rudder As of 30 days after Not applicable. that has been inspected as March 17, 2011 (the specified in paragraph effective date of (f)(1) of this AD, is found this AD). free of corrosion, has had the corrosion protection applied, and has been sealed as specified in paragraph (f)(3) of this AD. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (g)(1) 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. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in the Related Information section of this AD. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. Related Information (h) For more information about this AD, contact Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer, ASW-150 (c/o MIDO-43), 10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio, Texas 78216; phone: (210) 308-3365; fax: (210) 308-3370; e-mail: andrew.mcanaul@faa.gov. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use Grumman American Aviation Corporation Ag-Cat Service Bulletin No. 61, dated June 6, 1977; Ag-Cat Maintenance Manual pages 6-14 through 6-16, copyright 1978; and Ag-Cat G-164D Maintenance Manual pages 6-24 and 6-29, copyright 1995, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the incorporation by reference of Grumman American Aviation Corporation Ag-Cat Service Bulletin No. 61, dated June 6, 1977; Ag-Cat Maintenance Manual pages 6-14 through 6-16, copyright 1978; and Ag- Cat G-164D Maintenance Manual pages 6-24 and 6-29, copyright 1995, on December 19, 2008 (73 FR 67372, November 14, 2008). (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Allied Ag Cat Productions, Inc., 301 West Walnut Street, P.O. Box 482, Walnut Ridge, Arkansas 72479; telephone: (870) 886-2418. (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust St., Kansas City, Missouri 64016. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. (4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.