[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 94 (Wednesday, May 16, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27489-27491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-9402]



[[Page 27489]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27860; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-034-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Allied Ag Cat Productions, Inc. (Type 
Certificate No. 1A16 Formerly Held by Schweizer Aircraft Corp.) G-164 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 82-07-04, 
which applies to certain Allied Ag Cat Productions, Inc. (Ag Cat) G-164 
series airplanes. AD 82-07-04 currently requires you to modify the fuel 
shut-off valve control by installation of a new stop-plate. Since we 
issued AD 82-07-04, we have determined the need to add airplane models 
and serial numbers that were not previously included in the 
applicability. Consequently, this proposed AD would retain the actions 
of AD 82-07-04 and add airplane models and serial numbers to the 
applicability. We are proposing this AD to prevent turning the fuel 
shut-off valve clockwise past the ``ON'' position stop which, if not 
corrected, could allow the fuel valve to be rotated to an unplacarded 
``OFF'' position. This condition could lead to reduced fuel flow and 
consequent loss of engine power.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 16, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD:
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Allied Ag Cat Productions, Inc., 301 West Walnut Street, P.O. Box 482, 
Walnut Ridge, Arkansas 72479; telephone: (870) 866-2111.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Wilbanks, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort 
Worth, Texas 76137; telephone: (817) 222-5051; fax: (817) 222-5960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, ``FAA-
2007-27860; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-034-AD'' at the beginning of 
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may 
amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

    A determination that the fuel shut-off valve handle could be 
rotated clockwise past the ``ON'' position stop to an unplacarded 
``OFF'' position on certain Ag Cat G-164 series airplanes caused us to 
issue AD 82-07-04, Amendment 39-4355 (47 FR 13788, April 1, 1982). AD 
82-07-04 currently requires you to modify the fuel shut-off valve 
control by installation of a new stop-plate on certain Ag Cat G-164 
series airplanes.
    Since issuing AD 82-07-04, we have determined the need to add 
airplane models and serial numbers that were not previously included in 
the applicability.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to reduced fuel flow 
and consequent loss of engine power.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Schweizer Aircraft Corp. Ag-Cat Service Bulletin 
No. 78, dated January 26, 1982.
    The service information describes procedures for modification of 
the fuel shut-off control by installation of a part number A1552-71 
stop-plate.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and 
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other products of the same type design. This proposed AD 
would supersede AD 82-07-04 with a new AD that would retain the actions 
of AD 82-07-04 and add models and serial numbers to the applicability. 
This proposed AD would require you to use the service information 
described previously to perform these actions.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    This proposed AD affects additional models and serial numbers 
airplanes compared to the list in the applicability section of the 
service information. The requirements of this proposed AD, if adopted 
as a final rule, would take precedence over the provisions in the 
service information.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 1,400 airplanes in 
the U.S. registry, including those airplanes affected by AD 82-07-04.
    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed modification:

 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Total cost per   Total cost on
                           Labor cost                               Parts cost       airplane     U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.5 work-hours x $80 per hour = $200............................            $500            $700        $980,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We based our fleet cost estimate on all airplanes needing the 
modification. We have no way of knowing which airplanes already have 
modified the fuel shut-off control per AD 82-07-04. We also have no way 
of knowing how many airplanes have been retrofitted with the Gemini 
fuel shut-off valve part number

[[Page 27490]]

3/4-86-6-RT-6 (A3580-1) without incorporating AD 82-07-04.
    The estimated total cost on U.S. operators includes the cumulative 
costs associated with those airplanes affected by AD 82-07-04 and those 
airplanes being added in this AD.

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 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed 
regulation:
    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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on 
the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket 
Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) 
is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 82-07-04, Amendment 39-4355 (47 FR 13788, April 1, 1982), and 
adding the following new AD:

Allied Ag Cat Productions, Inc. (Type Certificate No. 1A16 formerly 
held by Schweizer Aircraft Corp.): Docket No. FAA-2007-27860; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-034-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) action by July 16, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 82-07-04, Amendment 39-4355.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the following model and serial number 
airplanes that are certificated in any category and have Gemini fuel 
shut-off valve part number (P/N) \3/4\-86-6-RT-6 (A3580-1) 
installed:
    (1) Group 1 (maintains the actions from AD 82-07-04):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                             Serial Nos
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) G-164A................................  1726A through 1730A.
(ii) G-164B...............................  335B through 659B.
(iii) G-164C..............................  1C through 44C.
(iv) G-164D...............................  1D through 22D.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    .(2) Group 2:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) G-164..............................  All.
(ii) G-164A............................  All except 1726A through 1730A.
(iii) G-164B and G-164B with 73'' wing   All except 335B through 659B.
 gap.
(iv) G-164B-15T........................  All.
(v) G-164B-20T.........................  All.
(vi) G-164B-34T........................  All.
(vii) G-164C...........................  All except 1C through 44C.
(iv) G-164D and G-164D with 73'' wing    All except 1D through 22D.
 gap.
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Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from our determination to add airplane 
models and serial numbers that were not previously included in the 
applicability. We are issuing this AD to prevent turning the fuel 
shut-off valve clockwise past the ``ON'' position which, if not 
corrected, could allow the fuel valve to be rotated to an 
unplacarded ``OFF'' position.

Compliance

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless 
already done:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Modify the fuel shut-off  (i) For Group 1       Follow Schweizer
 valve control by              Airplanes: Within     Aircraft Corp. Ag-
 installation of a new stop-   100 hours time-in     Cat Service
 plate, P/N A1552-71 (or FAA-  service (TIS) after   Bulletin No. 78,
 approved equivalent).         April 6, 1982 (the    dated January 26,
                               effective date of     1982.
                               AD 82-07-04).
                              (ii) For Group 2
                               Airplanes: Within
                               100 hours TIS after
                               the effective date
                               of this AD.

[[Page 27491]]

 
(2) Do not install any        For all Airplanes:    Follow Schweizer
 Gemini fuel shut-off valve    As of 100 hours TIS   Aircraft Corp. Ag-
 P/N \3/4\-86-6-RT-6 (A3580-   after the effective   Cat Service
 1) on any airplane unless     date of this AD.      Bulletin No. 78,
 the stop-plate is installed                         dated January 26,
 per paragraph (e)(1) of                             1982.
 this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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: Matt 
Wilbanks, Aerospace Engineer, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 
76137; telephone: (817) 222-5051; fax: (817) 222-5960. 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.
    (g) AMOCs approved for AD 82-07-04 are approved for this AD.

Related Information

    (h) To get copies of the service information referenced in this 
AD, contact Allied Ag Cat Productions, Inc., 301 West Walnut Street, 
P.O. Box 482, Walnut Ridge, Arkansas 72479; telephone: (870) 866-
2111. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif 
Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC, or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is Docket No. FAA-2007-27860; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-034-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 9, 2007.
Charles L. Smalley,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-9402 Filed 5-15-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P