Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-14779 · Air Tractor, Inc. Models AT-802 and AT-802A Airplanes
Air Tractor, Inc. Models AT-802 and AT-802A Airplanes
This AD applies to Models AT-802 and AT-802A airplanes, all serial numbers beginning with 802/802A-0001 through 802/802A-0219, that are certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Air Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Models AT-802 and AT-802A airplanes. This AD requires you to repetitively inspect the attach angles on the firewall mounted hopper rinse tank shelf for damage and/or cracks and replace damaged and/or cracked attach angles with steel attach angles. Replacing the attach angles with steel attach angles terminates the repetitive inspection requirement. Reports of an uncommanded change in the engine power setting caused by separation of the hopper rinse tank shelf from the firewall prompted this AD. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct damage and/or cracks in the attach angles on the firewall mounted hopper rinse tank shelf, which could result in failure of the attach angles. This failure could lead to shelf movement under maneuver load and shifting of the engine power cables, which could result in an uncommanded engine power setting change.
To address this problem, you must do the following, unless already done:
| Actions | Compliance | Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Visually inspect the three attach angles on the firewall mounted hopper rinse tank shelf for damage and/or cracks | Initially inspect within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after November 3, 2006 (the effective date of this AD). If no damage and/or cracks are found, repetitively inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS. Replacing all three attach angles with steel attach angles, part number (P/N) 60568-3 (or FAA-approved equivalent P/N), terminates the repetitive inspection requirement of this AD | Follow Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #248, dated August 31, 2005. |
| (2) If you find any damage and/or cracks on any of the three attach angles during any inspection required in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, replace all three attach angles with steel attach angles, P/N 60568-3 (or FAA-approved equivalent P/N) | Before further flight after the inspection in which damage and/or cracks are found. Replacing all three attach angles with steel attach angles, P/N 60568-3 (or FAA-approved equivalent P/N), terminates the repetitive inspection requirement of paragraph (e)(1) of this AD | Follow Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #248, dated August 31, 2005. |
| (3) You may replace the aluminum attach angles on the firewall mounted hopper rinse tank shelf with steel attach angles, P/N 60568-3 (or FAA-approved equivalent P/N), at any time to terminate the repetitive inspections required in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD | As of November 3, 2006 (the effective date of this AD) | Follow Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter #248, dated August 31, 2005. |
| (4) Do not install aluminum attach angles on the hopper rinse tank shelf attach angles | As of November 3, 2006 (the effective date of this AD) | Not applicable. |
(f) 14 CFR 21.303 allows for replacement parts through parts manufacturer approval (PMA). The phrase “or FAA-approved equivalent P/N” in this AD is intended to allow for the installation of parts approved through identicality to the design of the replacement parts. Equivalent replacement parts to correct the unsafe condition under PMA (other than identicality) may also be installed provided they meet current airworthiness standards, which include those actions cited in this AD.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
