AD 97-14-05 62 FR 38445

This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive AD 95-20-06, which applies to certain Air Tractor Incorporated (Air Tractor) Models AT-301, AT-302, AT-400, AT-400A, AT-401, AT-402, AT-501, and AT-502 airplanes and currently requires repetitively inspecting the front spar attachment lugs and the rear spar for fatigue cracks, and modifying the vertical fin if cracks are found. The modification terminates the repetitive inspection requirement of AD 95-20-06 and may be incorporated at any time, if cracks are not found. The FAA has determined that the Air Tractor Models mentioned above with a \1/4\- inch fin front spar fitting installed should be exempt from the AD. The AD will retain the requirements of AD 95-20-06 for all Air Tractor airplanes that have a \3/16\-inch fin front spar fitting. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent in-flight vertical fin cracking, which, if not detected and corrected, could result in structural failure of the front spar attachments and eventually the rear spar attachment and cause loss of directional control of the airplane.